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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



SERMONS 

PRACTICAL 
DEVOTIONAL 

BY 

Rev. J. L. Dickens, D.D., LL.D. 

Pastor Immanuel Presbyterian Church 
2120 Ave G., Galveston, Texas 

Formerly President Bethel College, 
Tennessee, and of Trinity University, 
Texas, and Author of "The Lord Is 
Coming Again" 




Order From Author 
Paper Binding, 35c; Cloth Binding, 75c 



OSCAR SPRINGER PRINT, GALV. 

1916 



3X111 



Copyrighted 1916 
By J. L. DICKENS 



The Bible text used in this book is 
taken from the American Standard 
Edition of the Revised Bible, copy- 
right 1901 by Thomas Nelson & 
Sons, and is used by permission. 




FEB 28 1916 



©CU427063 




Contents 

The Wise Men Worship the New-Born King 6 

The 'Humiliation of Christ 13 

The Exaltation of Christ 18 

The Resurrection of Christ.— 26 

The Drawing Power of Christ 37 

The Availing Thing In Christ 43 

Helpless Apart From Christ. 50 

Powerful In Christ 57 

What To Do With Our Burdens 65 

Helping Others To Bear Their Burdens 72 

Nearness To God Is Beneficial 80 

Renewal of Spiritual Strength 88 

The Christian's Life Work Shall Be Tried 94 

Jesus, the Christ, Prays for Us 102 

W T e Should Do Our Best for God's Cause 109 

Caleb's Reward for Right Living 117 

Christian Conversation 124 

Settled Out of Court 129 

Jesus, the Christ, Guards All We Commit To 

Him 137 

Exhorting One Another in View of the Coming 

of the Lord 144 

Thanksgiving Service 152 



^preface 



THE SERMONS contained in this book were 
delivered to the author's congregation in the 
ordinary duties of his pulpit ministrations. 

They are sent forth in this form with the earnest 
desire and prayer that they may help all who will 
read them to love Jesus, the Christ, better than 
they ever did before they read them. These ser- 
mons were written and delivered with the desire 
to honor Him who has done so much to save a 
lost, wrecked and ruined world. All glory and 
honor be to His name! 

The world today is restless. Men are like barks 
upon an angry, surging sea. Unusual circumstances 
are transpiring. Many of the foremost nations of 
the world are at war, and no one on the earth 
knows what will be the outcome of the terrific 
struggles going on. Especially now should the 
hearts of men turn to the Lord. Christians should 
lay all their burdens upon Him who is willing to 
be their burden-bearer. They should help one 
another in all the walks of life. 

They should be prepared for coming events. 
If these sermons are used by Him who gave Him- 
self for us, and they help some one to a better, 
happier life, the author will be richly repaid for 
their preparation. 

J. L. DICKENS. 
Galveston, Texas, January 10, 1916. 



^tye Wist ffltn W*tsl}xy % Jfatt-Pum ]&%u$ 



"And they, having heard the king, went their way; 
and lo, the star which they saw in the East, went 
before them, till it came and stood over where the 
young child was. And when they saw the star, they 
rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Matt. 2:9, 10. 




INETEEN hundred years ago there was born in 
Palestine, in Bethlehem of Judea, the most 



wonderful personage this world has ever seen. His 
coming was foretold by the prophets of old under 
tire immediate inspiration of God's Holy Spirit. 

In some way the impression got to be world-wide 
that there was to be born a king about this time 
whose influence and power were to reach all the 
people of the world. Confucius, in China, had 
prophesied His coming. 

Zoroaster, the founder of the reformed religion 
of Persia, had told of a coming king who would 
establish a kingdom of righteousness and peace. In 
the fullness of time His star appeared. It was rec- 
ognized by the wise men of the East who at once 
started out in search of this remarkable personage. 

The East was at that time as well as now a very 
general term. Probably it would mean to any Pales- 
tinian Jew the region stretching forward from the 
Jordan to the Euphrates. Somewhere in this gen- 
eral district was the home of these wise men, but 
whether in Arabia, Persia, Chaldea or Parthia we 
do not know. 

Neither do we know how many wise men came 
to worship the new-born king. It has been said that 
the worship rendered was of a civil rather than of a 
spiritual nature. Whatever else may be said of it, 
there was exceeding great joy connected with it. 
There was devotion, there was love, there was ado- 



The Wise Men Worship the New- Born King 7 



ration, and the whole heart was full of joy. When 
they came into the house where the young child 
was they fell down and worshipped him. Not only 
did they in spirit worship him, but they opened 
their treasures unto Him. They offered gifts of 
gold, frankincense and myrrh to him. They brought 
gold to Him. This was the best of their worldly 
wealth, the best and purest they had. They were 
willing to give their best to the new-born king. 
This was an act of worship. 

They brought frankincense. This was a resinous 
gum used for incense in worship. It stands for 
prayer and thanksgiving. It was a part of the meat 
or meal offering, and belonged exclusively to Jeho- 
vah. In the offering it was wholly consumed. This 
points to the fact that the one object in the life of 
the new-born king was to glorify God, to finish the 
work his Father had given him to do. 

They brought bitter myrrh. This was, in fact, a 
prophecy that the new-born king would be submis- 
sive unto death, even the death of the cross. It 
pointed to bitter betrayal, bitter persecution, bitter 
days of suffering and bitter nights of woe. Even 
the Psalmist had before said of him, "All thy gar- 
ments smell of myrrh." No one can comprehend 
the height, the depth, the length, the breadth of 
our Savior's sorrow and suffering in dying for us. 

When Herod the King heard of the birth of Jesus, 
the Christ, he became very anxious to find Him and 
to put Him to death. He ordered the wise men, 
when they had found Him, to bring back informa- 
tion. He stated hypocritically that he desired to 
go and worship him. God directed it otherwise, 
and the wicked ruler's plans failed. 

When they left Jerusalem for Bethlehem "the 
star which they saw in the East went before them, 



8 



Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



till it came and stood over where the young child 
was." The star which led the wise men to Christ 
has been a study of deep interest to intelligent men 
for many years. Various theories have been ad- 
vanced to account for this wonderful phenomenon. 
No entirely satisfactory explanation has been given. 
Certainly it was a star. God planned it. It was 
God's doing. We may not, while we are in this 
world, understand it. It is our duty to believe it, 
and that it carried out the purpose of God. 

We may draw some practical lessons from this 
text of Scripture. 

I. THE WISEST AMONG MEN WORSHIP JESUS, 
THE CHRIST. 

To worship is no indication of weakness. It is 
in harmony with human nature. Man is naturally 
a worshipping being. It is, in fact, an indication of 
stubbornness, arbitrariness, when one hardens him- 
self against this important element in his nature. 
The best men of all ages, nationalities, climes, 
countries, have addicted themselves to worship. To 
be sure, many of them have not known the God of 
Heaven, but they have followed that element 
in their being to worship some one or something 
they supposed better than themselves. 

1. The Most Learned Men Are Christians. 

Go in the realms of scientific research. Ask men 
of great learning in the fields of science what 
about the Bible and the importance of worshipping- 
Almighty God. They will tell you that there is no 
real conflict between science and the Bible. They 
will tell you that the onward march of scientific 
research is a farther confirmation of the truth of 
the Word of God, that science nowhere disputes the 



The Wise Men Worship the New-Born King 9 



teaching of the Bible, that the old Book stands the 
test. 

2. The Greatest Men in Profesional Life Are Chris- 
tians. 

The most eminent lawyers, jurists and judges are 
devout Christians. Inexperienced young men in 
the professions may sometimes scoff at Chris- 
tianity and glibly talk of the "Mistakes of Moses." 
Not so with the learned jurist. He knows beyond 
a reasonable question that Moses was the greatest 
lawgiver the world has ever known. He knows 
that all just law has its inception in the Bible. 
The greatest physicians and surgeons of the world 
acknowledge Jesus Christ as over and above all. 
He is the Great Physician. 

The greatest teachers in our colleges and univer- 
sities regard Jesus the Christ as the master teacher 
of all ages. The nearer approach a teacher makes 
to the methods and principles of Christ, the 
higher he ranks in his profession. 

3. The Greatest Statesmen Are Christians. 

Consider, will you, the greatest nations, king- 
doms, empires of earth? Their rulers and greatest 
statesmen bow to Jesus the Christ as their Lord, 
their Master, their Savior. Years ago Queen Vic- 
toria declared that the Secret of England's great- 
ness was the Word of God. She was a queenly 
Christian, and endeavored to have her subjects live 
the life outlined in the Bible. Our American gov- 
ernment owes its greatness to its loyalty to God's 
Word. The best statesmen we have had in the 
past and have today are devout Christians. When 
nations have crumbled and fallen it was because 
the God of Heaven was disregarded and His Book, 
the Bible, ignored. 



10 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



II. GOD GUIDES THE STAR THAT LEADS UN- 
ERRINGLY TO THE SAVIOR. 
The wise men in the East were unable by their 
own wisdom to find the new-born king. They 
needed a guide. God gave them an unerring guide. 
They gladly followed it. They found the king. 

1. We Need a Guide, — Without a Guide We Are 
Helpless. Job. 11:7; Rom. 11:33; Acts 8:31; John 
16:13. 

God will give us a guide. There is a guiding- 
star for every one. We must not trust every pro- 
posed leader. We must be sure that God is guid- 
ing the star that proposes to point us to the Savior. 
If a man is not led by the Holy Spirit he is not 
competent to lead others. 

2. There Are Many Proposed Guiding Stars. 

Many are steeped in vain philosophy, full of 
theological errors, blind and leading the blind. 
Matt. 15:14; Luke 6:39. There will be an awful 
awakening after a while. Many who now think 
they are on safe ground will find themselves lost 
forever. Matt. 7:21-23. 

3. It Is Our Duty To Know Whether Or Not the 
Star That Proposes To Guide Us is of God. 

To know this fact is every one's privilege. 1 
John 4:1-3. 

Ask God to give you his Holy Spirit and he will 
make the matter plain to you. John 16:13-15. 
The star to lead you to Christ may be some Gospel 
sermon, Gospel song, a mother's prayer or a moth- 
er's tear. It may be some consistent life, some 
deep vale of sorrow, some cheerful smile, some 
friendly greeting. God can sanctify these things 
and lead men through them to turn away from sin 



The Wise Men Worship the New-Born King 11 



and seek Jesus the Christ in the forgiveness of their 
sins. Be sure, however, that you do not follow any 
star which is not of God. Your eternal interests 
are too great to risk to any mortal man. Settle 
this matter yourself with your God. Take the word 
of no man until God himself satisfies you by the 
revelation of his Son to your inner consciousness. 
Matt. 16:15-17. You may know for yourself wheth- 
er or not you are saved. 

III. FINDING THE SAVIOR BRINGS EXCEEDING 
GREAT JOY. 
To be sure, Christianity is not feeling. Men are 
often deceived by their feelings. The Word of God 
is authoritative. Let us be guided by this Book. 

1. We Find the Savior By Faith, Then Rejoice. 

When the excited jailer asked Paul and Silas what 
he must do to be saved they said, "Believe on the 
Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy 
house." Acts 16:31. After the jailer was saved he 
rejoiced (Acts 16:34) and was happy in the love 
of God. 

Faith is the condition, the turning point in one's 
salvation. Rom. 10:9-10. 

2. We Find the Savior By Having Been Taught the 
Word of God, and Rejoice. 

A case in point in this connection is that of the 
Ethiopian eunuch. He was reading the Word of 
God — Isaiah's prophecies in reference to the Savior 
of sinners. He asked Phillip to teach him. The 
man of God taught the eunuch. He accepted Jesus 
the Christ as his Savior. He believed the Word of 
God. He was saved. His faith united him to 
Christ. He became at once a happy man. Then 
he was baptized and went on his way rejoicing. 
Acts 8:34-39. 



12 Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



3. Men Find the Savior Under the Preaching of the 
Word of God and Rejoice. 

The history of the Church of God is replete with 
circumstances of this kind. 

On the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter 
preached a great sermon. Many were cut to their 
hearts, were deeply convicted of their sins, accepted 
the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and 
were full of joy. Acts 2:37-41. Peter also preached 
a great sermon in the home of Cornelius. His 
hearers believed the word preached, accepted the 
crucified one as their Savior and the Holy Spirit 
fell on them and there was great rejoicing. Acts 
10:44-48. Many other Biblical examples might be 
given, but I deem these sufficient. 

Under the preaching of John Wesley, Finney, 
McGready and others of similar types, many found 
their Savior and salvation and great joy resulted. 
Evangelist D. L. Moody was instrumental in bring- 
ing joy to thousands of hearts by preaching the 
Gospel of the grace of God. Doctors R. A. Torrey, 
J. W. Chapman and Billy Sunday have proclaimed 
the unsearchable riches of Christ to teeming mul- 
titudes around the world and great joy has come 
to multiplied thousands of human hearts and lives. 



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"Who, existing in the form of God, counted not 
the being on an equality with God a thing to be 
grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a 
servant, being made in the likeness of man and 
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled him- 
self, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the 
death of the cross." Phil. 2:6-8. 

HE HUMILIATION OF CHRIST is the wonder 
of the ages. Wonderful beyond description is 
the love, the propelling power of this astonishing 
humiliation. 

It is a matter of profound astonishment to all the 
created intelligences of God. 

That God should give His only Son to die for a 
lost, wrecked, ruined world is beyond human com- 
prehension. That He did this wonderful thing is a 
fact backed by incontestible proof. John 3:16. 

Love is the greatest power, the strongest and 
most helpful principle on earth or in heaven. 

The jewel of heaven, the tenderest, sweetest love 
of the Father was the gift in sacrifice to save fallen 
man. 

That invaluable sacrifice is the estimate that God 
places upon the salvation of a human being. No 
man can overestimate his own salvation. Matt. 16: 
26; Psa. 49:7-8. 

While we can not comprehend the grandeur, the 
breadth and depth of the humiliation of Christ, yet 
it, becomes us to investigate, to know what we can 
know of what He has done for us. 

I. CHRIST BEFORE HIS INCARNATION. 

The source of information upon this subject is 
the revelation in God's word. 




14 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



1. He Was in the Form of God. 

By form in this connection is meant "that which 
outwardly manifests essence or nature." This indi- 
cates His divine nature as the only begotten Son 
of God. He was Himself God (John 1:1), the image 
of the invisible God (Col. 1:15), the effulgence of 
His glory (Heb. 1:3) and the second person of the 
Trinity. 

2. He Was Equal With God. 

Being of the same substance, nature, power and 
glory He was equal with God. When He was in 
this world instructing men, He said, "I and the 
Father are one." John 10:30. 

If He had not himself been God it would have 
been robbery to have claimed equality with God. 
It would have been an attempt to rob God of the 
rights of His Godhead. 

Notwithstanding the fact that He was God He 
did not covet and affect to appear in the glory of 
the Godhead while living among men. When he did 
indicate divine power it was necessary for the ac- 
complishment of the purpose at hand. While here 
He laid aside the dignity and majesty of His heav- 
enly appearances. Only in the transfiguration did 
it appear. Matt. 17:2-5; II Peter 1:16-18. 

3. He Had the Adoration of the Heavenly Hosts. 

Before His incarnation like his Father in glory 
He had the worship and adoration of all the heaven- 
ly hosts. 

Exalted and glorified now He has the same wor- 
ship, honor and glory as He had before His incar- 
nation. His glory before He came to this world was 
the glory of the Father unapproachable and in- 
describable. 



The Humiliation of Christ 



15 



II. THE ACT OF INCARNATION. 

This was the peculiar union of the divine nature 
and human nature, in Christ. It was the act by 
which He became man as well as He was God. He 
became the God-man. In the accomplishment of 
this act great humiliation on the part of God's son 
was required. There were several downward steps 
to this lowly estate. 

1. He Made Himself of No Reputation. 

He emptied Himself of the form of God, not of 
its essential glory, but of its manifested possession. 
He laid aside the dignity and majesty of His former 
appearances. 

(1) He Was Born of a Virgin. Matt. 1:23. 

He became truly human as well as divine. He 
assumed our nature, sin excepted. He was seem- 
ingly a weak, helpless babe in Bethlehem's manger. 

He did not come in pomp and in glory as one 
might have supposed, but He came apparently in 
weakness and in poverty. 

(2) He Lived in Poverty. 

He assumed no position of worldly greatness. 
He did not seek worldly honor. He lived among the 
financially poor. They were His friends and com- 
panions. From riches to poverty He gladly came 
that He might save men and make them rich in 
glory. Matt. 8:20; II Cor. 8:9. 

2. He Was Made in the Likeness of Man. 

He was a real man. He had the form of a man. 
He had the wants of men. He used the language 
of men. He took part of our flesh and blood. He 
was like us. Heb. 2:17. He hungered, ate and drank 
as we do. He became tired and footsore on jour- 
neys and rested as we do. 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 16 



3. He Took Upon Himself the Form of a Servant. 

Not only did he humble himself to the fashion 
and form of man, but He took upon Himself the 
form of a servant. 

He declared that He "came not to be ministered 
unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom 
for many." Matt. 20:28. He said He came to seek 
and to save the lost. Luke 19:10. 

III. THE PERIOD OF INCARNATION: WHAT 
HE DID. 

The period of incarnation of Jesus Christ our Lord 
was an important period. 

Mighty, far-reaching and wonderful were the 
things done during that period. 

On the part of Christ His humiliation became 
more and more evident. 

1. He Humbled Himself. 

He wanted to get closer to us than the mere fact 
of His incarnation would indicate. He stoops down 
lower to reach our sad estate. He becomes the 
lowly man. He reaches down to save the worst of 
sinners. 

He gladly saves the wicked woman at Jacob's 
Well in Samaria. John 4:5-26. 

Mary Magdalene, out of whom he cast seven 
demons, was saved by His power. 

He opened the eyes of blind men, unstopped 
the ears of the deaf, made the lame to walk, healed 
the sick, and raised the dead. 

He came close to us that we might know Him as 
our friend. 

2. He Becomes a Suffering Man. 

He "suffered for our sins once, the righteous for 
the unrighteous." 1 Peter 3:18. Heb. 13:12. "He 



The Humiliation of Christ 



17 



was despised and rejected of men, a man of sor- 
rows and acquainted with grief." Isa. 53:3. 

He came so close to us in sympathy and love 
that He bore "our griefs and carried our sorrows." 
He was "smitten of God and afflicted." Isa. 53:4. 

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He 
was bruised for our iniquities; tne chastisement of 
our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we 
are healed." Isa. 53:5. 

3. He Became Obedient Unto Death. 

The fate of Jesus Christ in respect to suffering 
was to go farther than to be wounded, bruised and 
chastised for us. He was to die for us to bring us 
back to God. This He willingly did. 

The story of the cross is a touching story. The 
tragic scene on Calvary's brow surpasses descrip- 
tion. 

He suffered death, the ignominous death of the 
cross. His disciples forsook Him. His friends fled 
away. He was condemned in a mock trial by false 
witnesses. His enemies nailed Him to the cross. 
The sun refused to shed its light upon the awful 
scene, and darkness covered the earth. He cried 
out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken 
me?" Matt. 27:46. "And Jesus cried again with a 
loud voice, and yielded up His spirit." Matt. 27:50. 
"One of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, 
and straightway there came out blood and water." 
John 19:34. He died for you. He died for me. 



%bt Exaltation of florist 



"Wherefore, also God highly ex lalted him, and 
gave unto him the name which is above every name; 
that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow 
of things in heaven and things on earth and things 
under the earth, and that every tongue should con- 
fess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God 
the Father." Phil. 2:9-11. 

HE EXALTATION OF CHRIST meets the ad- 
miration of earth's teeming millions of right- 
thinking men and of all the heavenly hosts. The 
highest form of goodness, lofty character and pro- 
found merit abide in Him. 

There is none like Him. He alone, the God-man, 
is worthy of every honor that Heaven or earth can 
confer upon Him. 

To His present position of glorious ex saltation 
He went from earth's degraded, ignominous death 
by crucifixion. 

Dying for His enemies, a voluntary sacrifice, the 
just for the unjust, to save a wrecked, lost and 
ruined world, He becomes the immortal hero of the 
ages, the joy in the hearts of those who accept 
Him as their personal Savior, their ideal, their Lord 
and their God. 

They justly accord to Him glory and honor and 
power. 

The lessons of humility taught by our Lord when 
He was on earth are worthy of the most serious 
considerations. 

They clearly show the way to greatness, to honor 
and glory. Matt. 20:26-28; Mark 10:43-45; Matt. 18: 
4; II Chron. 7:14; Matt. 23:11-12; James 4:10. 

The following mentioned elements in the exhal- 
tation of Christ are important: 




The Exaltation of Christ 



19 



I. THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY OF THE 
LORD JESUS CHRIST. 
That the body of Jesus, the Christ, was raised 
from the dead cannot be questioned. Both sacred 
and secular history place this beyond controversy. 

1. The Grave and Death Could Not Retain the Body 
of Our Lord. 

Jesus, the Christ, came to destroy the works of 
the devil, (2 Tim. 1:10) and offers to deliver His 
people (Heb. 2:15; I John 1:10; Gen. 3:15; Luke 
10:18), from the fear of death, and He alone (Rev. 
1:18) has the keys of death. Death is an enemy 
(I Cor. 15:26) and He abolished it. 

While the seeds of physical death are sown in our 
mortal bodies, yet for us Christ died, and broke the 
bonds of death, and through Him we shall triumph 
over death in the resurrection, for our bodies shall 
be raised and fashioned like unto His glorious body. 
Phil. 3:21. Death has also through His conquering 
power lost its sting. Isa. 25:8; Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor. 
15:55-57. 

2. Jesus, the Christ, brought from the Tomb the 
Same Body Which Went Into the Tomb. 

In the morning after the resurrection and in the 
afternoon and in the evening He was seen and rec- 
ognized by several friends. He was known as the 
same Jesus in bodily form who had lived among 
them and had died (Matt. 28:1-10; Luke 24:13-32) 
upon the cross and had been buried in Joseph's new 
tomb. 

In the evening prayer service in Jerusalem when 
He appeared in the midst of His friends there was 
much excitement. He calmed their fears when He 
said to them, "See my hands and my feet, that it 
is I myself: handle me and see: for a spirit hath 



20 



Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having." Luke 
24:39-43. 

Evidently the rseurrection body of our Lord was 
the same body that died on. the cross. It bore the 
marks of His crucifixion, and will bear them. John 
20:24-29; Zech. 12:10; Rev. 1:7; Zech. 13:6; John 
19:37. 

3. The Body of Christ After His Resurrection Was 
a Spiritual Body. 

The resurrection body of Jesus, the Christ, was 
a spiritual body. It was a real body of flesh and 
bones. There was no blood in this body. The blood 
of Christ had been shed for the redemption of men. 

It is said that in the natural, animal, physical 
body that the blood is the life. Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17: 
11-14. 

Jesus, the Christ, poured out His blood, lay down 
His life for the salvation of men. Blood is the in- 
vigorating principle, the life perpetuating element 
of the natural body. In the resurrection body the 
invigorating perpetuating principle is spirit. 

In the physical body the blood is also a basis for 
heredity, corruption, evil. In the resurrection body 
the spirit is the dominating element, the basis of 
complete purity and righteousness. 

In the resurrection body of the saints the re- 
generated, purified, dominating spirit takes the place 
of the blood in the natural or fleshy body. 

The resurrection body of the saints will be a body 
of flesh and bones, but not of blood. Phil. 3:21. 

When properly understood materiality is not an- 
tagonistic to spirituality. A material body may be 
a spiritual body in the sense that it is entirely dom- 
inated by the redeemed, regenerated, purified spirit. 

Spirituality is a state, and for a body to be spir- 



The Exaltation of Christ 



21 



itual it must be without sin, without taint or ele- 
ments of corruption. There must be absolutely no 
evil in a spiritual body. In the resurrection body 
flesh and blood are not connected for that kind of 
body cannot inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 
15:50-51. That it will not be spirit only is clearly 
indicated in Luke 24:39-43. 

That the resurrection body of Christ was flesh 
and bones cannot be questioned when we refer the 
matter to the Scriptures. Luke 24:39, 41-43; John 
20:20, 24-29; 1 John 1:1. It also had supernatural 
powers, could enter a building when the doors were 
closed (John 20:19; Luke 24:36-43) and vanish out 
of mortal sight. Luke 24:31. 

So also will the resurrection bodies of the saints 
possess supernatural powers. Phil. 3:21. 

II. THE ASCENSION OP CHRIST. 
Forty days after the resurrection of the body of 
our Lord He ascended back to His Father in glory. 
He had accomplished the work He was to do while 
He was on earth. His Father honored Him by a 
wonderful manifestation of glory in His ascension. 
This is a part in the glorious exaltation of Christ. 

1. He Ascended - to Heaven and a Cloud Received 
Him Out of the Sight of His Apostles. 

One day Jesus and His apostles were on the 
Mount of Olives. He was teaching them concerning 
the kingdom of God. 

He told them not to depart from Jerusalem, but 
to wait for the promise of the Father. He assured 
them of the baptism of "the Holy Spirit not many 
days hence." 

While they were looking upon Him, and listening 
to His wonderful teaching, suddenly He began to 
be taken up. They watched Him intently as He 



22 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



arose higher and higher. They beheld a cloud, a 
beautiful bright cloud, the Shekinah of God, com- 
ing down to meet the ascending Lord. 

He was amidst thronging crowds of angels, and 
the chariots and charioteers of Almighty God, re- 
ceived by the cloud, and taken up out of their 
sight. Acts 1:4-11. The expression of the presence 
of God in a cloud, and sometimes accompanied by 
members of the heavenly host was given many 
times to God's people in other days. Ex. 13:21-22; 
2 Kings 2:11-12; Dan. 7:13; Psa. 68:17; 2 Kings 
6:17. 

2. Jesus, the Christ, Ascended to Heaven in His 
Human But Resurrection Body. 

The fact of the resurrection and ascension of the 
body in which Jesus, the Christ, lived, suffered and 
died, is an element in the exaltation of our Lord. 
It is a worthy recognition of the value and grandeur 
of His wonderful humiliation. 

From the depths of humiliation He is taken to 
the heights of exaltation. 

His suffering body with pierced hands, feet and 
side is taken through death, the resurrection and 
ascension to its inexpressible dignity of the glori- 
fied body of the Son of God in glory. Rev. 1:7; 
Zech. 13:6. 

3. Jesus, the Christ, After His Ascension Sat Down 
at the Right Hand of God. 

This is another important element in the exhal- 
tation of our Lord. Jesus Himself spoke of this. 
Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69. Paul also gave testimony 
to this fact. Heb. 1:3; Rom. 8:34; Col. 3:1; Eph. 
1:20; Heb. 10:12. Jesus spoke of His position at 
the right hand of power. Mark 14:62. The Bible 
teaches clearly that Jesus, the Christ, is now with 



The Exaltation of Christ 



23 



His Father on His Father's throne. Heb. 8:1; 
1 Peter 3:22; Acts 2:33; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 12:2. 

Jesus also spoke of the throne of His glory. Matt. 
19:28; 25:31. He is now interceding for sinners 
(Heb. 7:25) and advocating the cause of the right- 
eous. I John 2:1. 

III. THE POWER, DIGNITY AND GLORY OF 
JESUS, THE CHRIST. 

While on this earth our Lord was seemingly 
without power, dignity and glory. 

His real self was veiled in human flesh. 

Only a few indisputable flashes of His real glory 
manifested themselves. 

The transfiguration was a remarkable scene, an 
expression of the coming glory of our Lord. Matt. 
17:2-8; 2 Peter 1:16-18. 

No human pen can adequately describe the power, 
dignity and glory of our risen and ascended Sa- 
vior. 

1- All Power is Given to Him and He is Wor- 
shipped. 

The Bible teaches us that He is worthy of the 
possession of power. 

He told His apostles just before He ascended to 
His Father of His power. Matt. 28:18. Peter also 
spoke of His power (1 Peter 3:22), as well as Paul 
(Phil. 2:9-10) and John. Rev. 17:14. All the heav- 
enly hosts delight to worship Him, giving Him 
honor and glory. Rev. 14:7; Rev. 5:12-14. 

2. A Name Attaches to Him Above Every Name. 

It is remarkable that the same name given to our 
Lord in His humiliation is one of the names borne 
by Him in His glorious exaltation. 



24 



Sermons — Practical , Devotional 



The name Jesus Christ is a wonderful name. It 
is full of sweetness, comfort, power and glory. Jesus 
is the most remarkable word in the English lan- 
guage. It has comforted more broken hearts, 
strengthened more lives, inspired greater hopes and 
more earnest activities than any other word. It is 
a sacred name. No other name approaches it. Par- 
ents may name their children Abraham, Isaac, Ja- 
cob, David, Matthew, Peter, James or John, but 
the name Jesus Christ is too sacred for earthly 
appellations. Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bona- 
parte, Washington and Lee, made their names fa- 
mous by military tactics, but Jesus, the Christ, made 
His name the greatest of all names by His service to 
wretched, ruined, fallen man, and by salvation to 
everyone who accepts Him as his personal Savior. 
Ultimately in this name "every knee" shall "bow, 
of things in heaven, and things on earth and things 
under the earth, and every tongue" shall "confess 
that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the 
Father." Phil. 2:10-11. 

3. He Shall Come Again to This World, But fn 
Great Power and Glory. 

The second coming of our Lord is one of the 
greatest elements in His exaltation. His first com- 
ing was in great humiliation. His second coming 
will be in great power and glory. 

The first phase of His second coming will be 
enacted when He comes for His saints, and the sec- 
ond phase of His second coming will be enacted 
when He comes with His saints, at which time He 
will place His feet on the Mount of Olives from 
which mountain He ascended to His Father. Zech. 
14:4; Acts 1:9-11. His second coming will be a lit- 
eral, real, personal coming just as much so as was 
His first coming. 



The Exaltation of Christ 



25 



At His first coming, although He was born a king 
He was rejected by His own people, maltreated, spat 
upon, buffeted, scorned and beaten with stripes. A 
crown of thorns was placed upon His head. He was 
condemned in a mock trial. 

He was crucified, dying that He might save men. 

Enacting the second phase of His second coming, 
He will come in great power and glory as the King 
of Kings and Lord of Lords. 1 Tim. 6:14-15. He 
shall introduce His reign of righteousness in re-es- 
tablishing the throne of David. He will introduce 
the Golden Age and for the thousand years of His 
millenial reign there will be peace, harmony, love, 
good will, and the whole earth will be filled with 
His glory. His name shall be known everywhere, 
and the hearts of men shall praise Him, and the 
Heavenly hosts shall adore Him, and His conquer- 
ing power shall prevail over all until His indescrib- 
able, ineffable glory shall enter the incomprehensi- 
ble, eternal ages. 



"He is not here; for He is risen, even as He said. 
Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matt. 
28:6. 

TPHE RESURRECTION of Jesus, the Christ, from 



of Christianity. The momentous fact of His resur- 
rection gives beauty and power to the touching sto- 
ries of His incarnation, His life among men, His 
death, ascension, High Priesthood and His second 
coming. 

The wonderful doctrines taught in the Bible, the 
word of God, are indisputably evidenced by this im- 
pregnable fact. The doctrine of the resurrection of 
Christ can not be overestimated. Its importance 
to our eternal destiny, the happiness of our spirits, 
far transcends any problem in philosophy, finance 
or government. 

It touches every interest of our lives in this world, 
and dignifies and glorifies our eternal interests. It 
helps to make Christ real to us, the work He did 
for us, and is doing for us, inestimable and places 
the glory of immortality beyond controversy. 

I. THE FACT OF THE RESURRECTION OF 



Around this proposition is the battle-ground of 
many centuries. Upon the certainty of its proof 
rests the whole of Christianity. If the resurrection 
of Christ is not a fact, Christianity is gone forever. 
That it is a fact is supported by testimonies that 
cannot be successfully controverted. 

1. The Empty Tomb. 

In the morning after the resurrection of Christ 




foundation stone 



CHRIST. 



The Besurrection of Christ 



27 



a goodly number of His disciples, competent wit- 
nesses, went to His tomb and found it empty. They 
made this fact known at once, and without hesi- 
tancy. The authorities took the matter up, and 
made close investigation. They likewise found the 
tomb empty. They could not account for this fact. 

It created much concern among people of all 
classes, and it was thoroughly sifted. There ex- 
isted no doubt as to the fact of an empty tomb. 

But as in all other instances of astonishing cir- 
cumstances, there were different opinions advanced 
as to why the tomb was empty. 

The authorities induced the soldiers, the guards, 
who kept watch at the tomb, to say that "His dis- 
ciples came by night, and stole Him a^ay while we 
slept." They paid the guards much money for this 
testimony. They promised them that if it came to 
the Governor's ears, that they would persuade him, 
and save them from punishment. The report of His 
body having been stolen away became current 
among the enemies of Christ and many believed it. 

Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, were the 
first of the disciples of Jesus to visit the tomb on 
the morning of the resurrection. 

They were followed by other devout women bear- 
ing spices. When they reached the place of the 
tomb, they found the stone rolled away and the 
tomb empty. Mary Magdalene went immediately to 
tell the disciples the condition she found. Luke 
23:55; 24:9; John 20:1-2. Mary, the mother of 
James and Joses, drew nearer to the tomb, and 
saw the angel of the Lord. Matt. 28:2-7. 

At once she went back and met the women who 
were coming with the spices. Peter and John, who 
learned of the empty tomb from Mary Magdalene, 
came with haste, and saw the linen clothes and the 



28 



Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



napkin, and that the body of their Lord was gone. 
John 20:3-10. They went away discouraged and 
with sad hearts, Mary Magdalene weeping. She 
saw two angels and then Jesus appeared. John 
20:11-18. They told her to go and tell the disciples 
and she obeyed. Mary, the mother of James and 
Joses, met the women with the spices, and with 
them returned to the tomb. They saw two angels. 
Luke 24:4, 5; Mark 16:5. 

They received the angelic message to go tell the 
disciples, and as they went they met Jesus. Matt. 
28:8-10. 

Evidently we have adduced sufficient proof that 
the tomb of Christ was empty at the time to which 
reference has been made. 

2. Sacred and Secular History Declare That Christ 
Rose from the Dead. 

Besides the plain evidence in the Bible of the ' 
empty tomb there is abundance of proof in the 
Bible that Christ was seen many times alive' by His 
disciples after His resurrection. 

The following arrangement gives the order of our 
Lord's appearances to His friends after His resur- 
rection. 

1. On the Resurrection Morning. 

(1) To Mary Magdalene. John 20:14-18. 

(2) To the women returning from the tomb with 
the angelic message. Matt. 28:8-10. 

(3) To Peter, probably in the afternoon. Luke 
24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5. 

(4) To the Emmaus disciples towards evening. 
Luke 24:13-31. 

(5) To the apostles, except Thomas. Luke 24: 
36-43; John 20:19-24. 



The Resurrection of Christ 



2^ 



2. Eight Days Afterwards. 

(1) To the apostles, Thomas being present. 
John 20:24-29. 

3. In Galilee. 

(1) To the Seven by the Lake of Tiberias. John 
21:1-23. 

(2) On the mountain, to the apostles and above 
five hundred brethren. 1 Cor. 15:6. 

4. At Jerusalem and Bethany Again. 

(1) To James. 1 Cor. 15:7. 

(2) To the eleven. Luke 24:50-53; Mark 16:19- 
20; Acts 1:9-12. 

5. After the Ascension. 

(1) To Paul, near Damascus. Acts 9:3-6; 1 Cor. 
15:8. 

(2) To Paul, in the temple. Acts 22:17-19; 23:11. 

(3) To Stephen, outside Jerusalem. Acts 7:55. 

(4) To John on Patmos. Rev. 1:10-19. 

The testimonies of eye witnesses to the fact of 
the presence of Jesus among His disciples after 
His resurrection is incontrovertible. 

Profane or secular history also testifies to the 
fact of the resurrection of Christ. 

Hon. John W. Foster is our chief authority on 
international law, and international relations. 

He says, "I consider that the evidence of Christ's 
resurrection is as credible as that of any other fact 
in history of the last eighteen centuries." 

Dr. Simon Greenleaf, formerly a professor of law 
at Harvard, wrote a great law book which is to this 
day an authority upon the subject, entitled: "A 
Treatise On the Law of Evidence." He also wrote 
a brief entitled, "An Examination of the Testimony 
of the Four Evangelists by the Rules of Evidence As 



30 



Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



They Are Administered in the. Courts of Justice." 
He showed beyond controversy the unimpeachable 
character of the testimony given supporting the 
claims of Jesus and His witnesses." 

Dr. Arnold, the head master of Rugby, said: "It 
has been my business for many years to examine 
critically the testimony of men to the events of 
human history, and to verify it according to the com- 
mon criteria of evidence. I have many times gone 
over, as carefully as I would the testimony of wit- 
nesses on the most important cases in law, the evi- 
dence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not for 
the sake of convincing others, but for my own sat- 
isfaction; and I know no event that is established 
on better testimony." 

Evidently this testimony is also sufficient to es- 
tablish the fact of the resurrection of Christ from 
a secular historical point of view. 

3. Skeptics Have Never Disproved the Resurrection 
of Christ. 

To be sure, men have vigorously denied the fact 
of the resurrection. They have searched diligently 
for evidence to disprove it. 

If sufficient evidence could have been found to 
contradict the fact of Christ's resurrection long ago 
it would have been brought forward. 

Today the fact of the resurrection of Christ is 
firmly established in the minds of millions of the 
most intelligent and best people of this world. 

II. THE NATURE OF THE RESURRECTION 
BODY OP CHRIST. 

Here is another battle-ground of critics, scholars 
and unprejudiced Bible students. .The fact of the 
resurrection of Christ having been settled, and the 



The Resurrection of Christ 



31 



absence of his body from the tomb assured, the 
question arises, "With what body did Christ come 
forth from the tomb?" Like all other questions of 
far-reaching importance, different opinions have 
been advanced. We have not the space to discuss 
these opinions, as we have only space to state 
what we believe the Bible teaches upon this ques- 
tion. 

1. The Resurrection Body of Christ Was the Same 
Body That Died in His Crucifixion. 

If Christ's resurrection body was not the same 
body that died in His crucifixion, what became of 
that body? No one to this day has been able to 
answer this question. His enemies and His friends 
alike declared that His tomb was empty. Unless 
one has some theory to support, some unwarranted 
spiritualizing of the Scriptures, or is afraid of the 
naked truth, the irresistible conclusion is that the 
resurrection body of Christ is the same body that 
died in His crucifixion and was buried in the tomb. 

The verdict of the senses, touch, sight and hear- 
ing was that it was the same body, for on the 
evening of Christ's resurrection, when most of the 
apostles and many of His disciples were assembled 
together, He appeared in their midst and "they were 
terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they saw 
a spirit." He said, "Why are ye troubled? See my 
hands and my feet that it is I myself; handle me, 
and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as 
ye behold me having." Luke 24:39; John 20:19-24; 
Matt. 28:9. They were greatly rejoiced and yet they 
could scarcely believe what they saw, and to fur- 
ther convince them, He asked, "Have ye anything 
here to eat?" 

"And they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and 



32 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



He took it, and ate before them." Luke 24:41-42. 

Thomas was not present when this occurred, and 
he said he would not believe except he could see 
the nail prints in His hands, feet and side. Eight 
days after this, Jesus stood in their midst. Thomas 
was present, and He said to Thomas: "Reach hither 
thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy 
hand, and put it into my side." John 20:27. Thomas 
said: "My Lord and my God." John 20:28. 

2. The Body of Christ Was Changed From a Natu- 
ral to a Spiritual Body. 

Just when the body of Christ was changed from 
a natural to a spiritual body is not agreed upon 
by all theorists and Bible students. In fact, some 
spiritualize the whole transaction and virtually deny 
His resurrection. 

Some phenomena in connection with Christ's risen 
body immediately after His resurrection indicate 
His body was a spiritual body. His presence with 
His disciples when the doors were shut indicates 
a supernatural ingress. His vanishing out of the 
sight of His disciples with whom He had gone to 
Emmaus indicates that His body was spiritual. 
During His walk with His two disciples to Em- 
maus they did not know Him. This is explained by 
saying, "But their eyes were holden that they should 
not know Him." Luke 24:16. 

Some think that the body of Christ was mado 
spiritual in connection with His ascension to heaven. 

It seems a reasonable conclusion that whereas the 
resurrection bodies of the saints are to be like the 
resurrection body of Christ, and whereas the bodies 
of the saints in the resurrection are to be raised 
spiritual bodies, that therefore the body of Christ 
was raised a spiritual body. It seems to me that 



The Besurrection of Christ 



33 



there is no escape from this conclusion. Phil. 3:21. 

It seems also a reasonable conclusion that some 
put too many limitations upon the resurrection body 
of Christ as if His spiritual or resurrection body 
should have no marks of its earthly condition, and 
that it should have no identifying features. Men 
often read into circumstances their own ideas even 
when those ideas have no reasonable foundation. 
It is a fact that while the body of Christ might be 
ineffably changed, it, nevertheless, is the same body. 
Who can tell what the power of a spiritual body 
is? It may have the power of different manifesta- 
tions. 

It is no real and indisputable evidence that be- 
cause the resurrection body of Christ had the power 
of physical manifestations that it was not a spirit- 
ual body. 

In Revelation 19:13-14 we learn that when He 
whose name is "The Word of God" goes forth with 
the armies of heaven that His garment is sprinkled 
with blood." Yet more definitely in the symbolism 
of this wonderful book the enthroned Redeemer ap- 
pears as " a lamb that had been slain." Rev. 5:6- 
12; 13:8. 

Notwithstanding all its surrounding glory, the 
marks of its bloody death are seen on the symbolic 
lamb. 

3. The Resurrection Body of Christ is Now Glorified. 

The resurrection body of Christ in its ascension 
from Mount Olivet was taken from earth to heaven. 

Its exlialtation was a part of its glorification. It 
was exl alted to the right hand of God, to a seat on 
the throne with the Father. It is glorified in its 
ex^altation to the highest honors that God, the 
Father, could give it. Jesus, the Christ, the God- 



34 



Sermons — Practical, Devotiona I 



man, exercises divine dominion in His glorified body. 
Matt. 28:20; Phil. 2:9-11; Rev. 3:21. 

The extraordinary scene on the mount of trans- 
figuration was a foreshadow of the glorified body 
of Christ. The ineffable glory that shone out from 
Him, and around Him was indicative of what His 
glorified state is now. 

III. THE IMPORTANCE OP THE RESURREC- 
TION OP CHRIST. 

The importance of the resurrection of Christ can 
not be overestimated. From every point of view it 
is of vital interest to us. 

1. it Establishes the Claims of Christ. 

The resurrection of Christ was the crowning 
event establishing beyond controversy His deity. 
After this event the most important in the world, 
and the most convincing to honest inquirers, to 
gainsay or doubt the claims of Christ is folly. 

Jesus, speaking of His own body, and His resur- 
rection, said: "Destroy this temple, and in three 
days I will raise it up." John 2:19. He was put 
to death, and did raise His body the third day. 
Nothing less than divine foreknowledge, and posses- 
sion of divine power can justify such assertion, and 
accomplish such results. At other times He fore- 
told His resurrection. Matt. 16:21; 20:18-19; Mark 
9:31; 14:27-28; John 10:17. Clearly His resurrec- 
tion from the dead was made the ultimate test of 
His claims. His resurrection proved unquestionably 
that He came from God. 

It firmly establishes Christianity, and the inspira- 
tion and validity of the Bible, as the word of God. 
It gives character and solid foundation to the doc- 
trines contained in the Bible, the book of books. 

Its prophecies, promises and wonderful portrayal 



The Resurrection of Christ 



35 



of creation, the fall and depravity of the human race, 
of the salvation wrought through the Lord Jesus 
Christ, the life to come, and the home beyond are 
through inspiration of God in this book, and we can 
rest assured of their correctness, and live in full 
hope of their realization. 

The Apostle Paul spoke of the importance of the 
resurrection of Christ when he said: "And if Christ 
hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, 
your faith also is vain. Yea, and we are found false 
witnesses of God." 1 Cor. 15:14-15. "And if Christ 
hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet 
in your sins. Then they also that are fallen asleep 
in Christ have perished." 1 Cor. 15:17-18. 

2. It Assures the Second Coming of Christ. 

At the close of the forty days that Christ spent 
on earth after His resurrection before His ascension 
to His Father, His disciples were with Him on the 
Mount of Olives, and He was instructing them, and 
they were questioning Him in reference to the king- 
dom of God, a wonderful scene presented itself to 
their view. 

He had just told them to wait in Jerusalem for 
the promise of the Father, and for induement of 
power, and that they should be witnesses for Him. 
"And when He had said these things, as they were 
looking He was taken up; and a cloud received Him 
out of their sight." 

And while they were looking steadfastly into 
heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them 
in white apparel, who also said, ye men of Galilee, 
why stand ye looking into heaven? This Jesus, who 
was received up from you into heaven, shall so come 
in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. 
Acts 1:9-11. 



3b 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



The blessed hope, the second coming of Christ, 
so fully brought out in the New Testament is backed 
up and made certain by the resurrection of Christ. 

3. St Assures the Resurrection of the Bodies of the 
Saints. 

Death and the grave were conquered by Christ in 
His resurrection. 

"Death is swallowed up in victory." O death, 
where is thy victory?" O death, where is thy sting. 
1 Cor. 15:55. 

But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:57. 

The resurrection of the body of "Christ was the 
first fruits" of the resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:23. Fol- 
lowing the resurrection of Christ will be the resur- 
rection of the bodies of the saints at the second com- 
ing of Christ. I Cor. 15:23; I Thes. 4:13-18. 

The Scriptures affirm that the resurrection bodies 
of the saints shall be spiritual, incorruptible, glo- 
rious and clothed with great power. I Cor. 15:42-44. 
They also teach that the body of our humiliation 
shall be fashioned anew, and that it shall conform 
to His glorious body. Phil. 3:21. 



"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw 
all men unto myself." John 12:32. 

{ "jj*HE DEATH OF JESUS, the Christ, was His 
1 voluntary sacrifice for sin. No one had power 
to take His life against His will. 

He said, "No one taketh it away from me, but I 
lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, 
and I have power to take it again." John 10:18. 

Even when His body had been nailed to the cross 
He could have refused His sacrificial death. He 
could then have prayed to His Father and instantly 
legions of angels would have come for His protec- 
tion. Matt. 26:53. Love, unbounded love, was the 
propelling power in His wonderful sacrifice. The 
word "if" in my text is not to be rendered as equiva- 
lent to "when." It indicates the last trace of that 
soul storm which was revealed by the language of 
the 27th verse of this same chapter. His crucifixion 
was contingent unto the last upon His voluntary sub- 
mission. He died willingly to save men. 

I. THE LIFTING UP OF CHRIST. 

A physical interpretation of the expression, "lifted 
up" would belittle, or degrade the thought intended 
to be conveyed. The reference is not to the eleva- 
tion of the body of Jesus a foot or two from the 
ground in His crucifixion. Neither does it refer to 
His ascension from Mount Olivet after His resurrec- 
tion. 

1. Jesus Referred in This "Lifting Up" to His Cru- 
cifixion. 

The Greek word "upsuo" to lift up is generally 
rendered "ex^alted." 



38 



Sermons — Practical, Devotion al 



It is so rendered in Matt. 11:23; 23:12; Luke 1: 
52; 14:11. The word is used here in reference to 
Christ's divine ex/altation by virtue of His volun- 
tary sacrifice. There could be nothing more worthy 
of the greatest honor than this wonderful voluntary 
self-sacrifice. 

2. His Crucifixion is Ex/altation for His Self-Sacri- 
fice Reaches Divine Glory. 

It is so in the economy of God that ex laltation 
comes through humility, or voluntary self-abasement. 
"And whosoever shall humble himself shall be ex- 
halted." Matt. 23:12. 

The Apostle Paul said of Jesus, the Christ, "And 
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled him- 
self, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the 
death of the cross." Phil. 2:8. 

For such self-abasement as this the glory of ex- 
'laltation inevitably follows. 1 Cor. 1:23-24; Acts 
2:33-34; 5:31. This not only includes the resurrec- 
tion and ascension of Christ, but a seat at the right 
hand of His Father upon the throne in glory. Luke 
24.6; Acts 1:9-11; Eph. 1:20; Rom. 8:34. 

II. THE LIFTING UP OF CHRIST PUTS HIM IN 
TOUCH WITH US. 

Before Jesus, the Christ, the son of God, came 
into this world He was crowned with glory and 
honor with His Father in heaven. In order that He 
might redeem fallen man from sin and ruin He con- 
sented to leave the glory which He had with His 
Father before the world was, and to come to earth 
to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19: 
10; John 3:16. 



The Drawing Power of Christ 



39 



1. He Took Upon Himself Our Nature Apart From 
Sin. 

This fact is abundantly taught in the word of God. 

He placed Himself so near to us that He is 
touched with a feeling of our infirmities." He was 
"tempted in all points like as we are, yet without 
sin." Heb. 4:15. 

He was "made in all things like unto his breth- 
ren," suffering temptation himself." He is able to 
succor them that are tempted." Heb. 2:17-18. He 
knew no sin. 2 Cor. 5:21. 

He was made in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7), 
and became a man of grief (Isa. 53:3) that He might 
come near to us and save us. 

2. He Became the Mediator Between God and Man. 

Sin separated man from God, broke off his com- 
munion with God, left him in spiritual darkness, and 
made him an enemy to God. 

Jesus, the Christ, through His incarnation, death 
and resurrection becomes the Mediator between God 
and man. This is a part of the glory of His being 
"lifted up." The way God gets to man is through 
Jesus Christ, our Lord, and the way man gets to 
God is through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

With one arm holding on to Deity, and the other 
on to humanity, Jesus Christ, the God-man, works 
reconciliation, and man is redeemed from the curse 
of the lav/, and saved by grace. Jesus, the Christ, 
the Mediator (I Tim. 2:5) between God and man, 
related to both in the strongest ties, honors God, and 
uplifts humanity. 

He is the Mediator of the new covenant (Heb. 12: 
24), the better covenant (Heb. 8:6) and with His 
work for us we are safe. Heb. 7:25. 



40 Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



3. He Becomes Our High Priest. 

It was a part of the Jewish economy that offer- 
ings and sacrifices be made. It was the duty of or- 
dinary priests to prepare and offer the daily, weekly 
and monthly sacrifices. 

The high priest entered the Holy of Holies once 
a year on the Day of Atonement to make expiation 
for the sins of the nation. 

Jesus, the Christ, became the High Priest, and as 
the High Priest was to make an offering comprehen- 
sive and in the interests of all (Heb. 8:3) he of- 
fered Himself, without blemish unto God (Heb. 9: 
14) and "appeared in heaven before the face of 
God for us" (Heb. 9:24) and sat down on the throne 
of the majesty in the heavens (Heb. 8:1) and "ever 
liveth to make intercession" for us. Heb. 7:25. His 
work is entirely satisfactory to God, the Father, and 
it becomes our duty to accept Him as our Lord, our 
life, our personal Savior, our salvation, our High 
Priest. 

III. THE DRAWING POWER OF CHRIST. 

The Greek word "pros" used in my text means 
"towards" rather than "to." Christ did not teach 
the doctrine of universalism in this text of Scrip- 
ture. He taught that if He be "lifted up" He would 
draw all men toward Himself, and just so He has 
done, and is doing. 

1. By the Purity of His Character. 

There is wonderful power in purity of heart, life, 
character. 

We are drawn toward any one whose heart and 
life we judge to be pure. Our Lord's earthly life 
was without sin. All noble men, whether they ac- 
cept the doctrine He taught, or not, are drawn to- 



The Drawing Power of Christ 



41 



ward Him. They can not overlook His sincerity, His 
purity. Even His enemies praise Him. 

2. By His Generous Offers — His Gifts. 

Gifts when needed and offered in sincerity are 
greatly appreciated by all considerate people. When 
gifts are made at great sacrifice of the donor, they 
are doubly appreciated. It is the heart that is in 
the matter that gives virtue to the act. 

At a sacrifice that can not be estimated Jesus, 
the Christ, offers the free unmerited gift of His 
love, salvation, heaven to a lost and ruined world. 
When properly understood these rich offers attract 
men to the Christ. They admire the generosity of 
His gifts, the untold advantages of His offers. Many 
are led to accept Him as the richest gift of all, and 
are washed in His blood, and are saved by His 
grace. 

3. By His Self-Sacrifice. 

Self-sacrifice is a virtue of incalculable worth. It 
Is godlike in its nature. It is admired by all good 
people. It is herein that true heroism exists. It is 
beautifully illustrated by the soldier who gives his 
life in defense of his country. The nation honors 
with kindly remembrance the graves of departed sol- 
diers, and decorates them with beautiful flowers. 
The martyr who gives up his life rather than deny 
his Lord is another beautiful illustration of the 
power and glory of self-sacrifice. As long as his- 
tory faithfully records the most important events 
in the world, the memory of the martyrdom of 
Bishops Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer will remain 
fresh, and thinking men will highly appreciate their 
noble sacrifice for the cause of God. Their devotion 
to the cause they loved will be the constant admi- 
ration of the world. Another illustration of this 
inestimable virtue is that of a loving, devoted 



42 



Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



mother, who toils and struggles for the comfort, the 
happiness, and protection of her child. Rather than 
that her child shall suffer, she suffers herself. Many 
a fond mother would die, if need be, to save the life 
of her child. Carefully study the doleful, yet assur- 
ing lamentation (2 Samuel 18:33) of King David as 
he wept because of the death of his son. 

Still another illustration which far surpasses all 
others in dignity, grandeur and glory, is that of 
Jesus, the Christ, who in His wonderful self-sacri- 
fice, freely pours out his blood for the unjust. Shall 
the world forget him? No! The memory of the 
tragic scene on Calvary shall endure forever. As 
the centuries come and go, it will grow brighter, 
grander, and more glorious while the teeming mil- 
lions of earth look to Him, who was the Hero of 
the Cross, for life and salvation. Yes, it is supreme- 
ly the power of the cross that draws men unerringly 
to Jesus, the Savior of sinners. 

Many personages of noble repute and worldly re- 
nown, celebrated by daring deeds and glorious 
achievements, have long since passed out of the 
affections of men, and are known only in the weird 
tales of history. Such are Julius Caesar, Alexander 
the Great, and Napoleon Bonaparte. They stir the 
affections of men no more. It is not that way in 
the case of Jesus, the Christ, the friend of sinners. 
The glory of His name grows brighter as the cen- 
turies go by. Around Him gathers the sweetest af- 
fections of the hearts of increasing millions of the 
best and noblest men and women this world has 
ever seen. 

Journeying onward and upward are myriads of de- 
votees of the cross who shall not be satisfied until 
they shall see Jesus, the Christ, face to face in 
glory. 



^\}t Availing %\}h\$ 3ht (Jurist 



''For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncir- 
cumcision, but a new creature." Gal. 6:15. 




AN is by nature a lost and ruined sinner. 
God has provided for him salvation, and offers 



to him terms of its acceptance. 

Upon the acceptance of God's terms of salvation 
men are saved; upon their rejection men are lost 
forever. 

God has one way and only one way of saving men. 
Every man who is saved is saved just like every 
other man was saved. 

This is God's way of dealing with men. It is not 
man's way. 

If saved at all the President in his chair is saved 
just like the beggar upon the streets is saved. The 
rich, the poor, the great, the small, the learned, the 
ignorant are alike saved upon the same terms. This 
humiliates pride. It glorifies God. It shows that 
God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34-35; 
Rom. 2:11-12; Gal. 2:6; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; I Peter 
1:17. 

In this text of Scripture (Gal. 6:15) it is shown 
evidently that the salvation offered to man through 
Christ Jesus our Lord is not a matter simply of ex- 
ternalities. It reaches the inner man. To be saved 
a man must be regenrated. He must be made a 
new creature in Christ Jesus. He must have im- 
parted to him a new nature. 

Externalities are for external things, for external 
or outward purposes and can not reach the inner or 
spiritual nature oL man. 

I. THE THING THAT AVAILS IN CHRIST. 
The matter of greatest importance to men in this 



44 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



world is the matter of their salvation. Matt. 16:26. 

What would it profit a man if he should gain even 
the whole world, its wealth, its honors, its pleasures, 
and at last lose his own soul, forfeit the interest of 
his immortal spirit forever? 

It behooves us to become wise upon this subject, 
and to know what God our Creator demands of us 
in order to our salvation. 

Christianity to us — our relation to our God — to 
Jesus Christ our Savior — is a personal matter. No 
one on earth, however great or good he may be, can 
attend to this matter for us. It is a matter be- 
tween ourselves and our God. 

There are two points of view to be considered. 

1. The Negative Point of View. 

The importance of this subject demands that we 
look at it from all points of view. There is nothing 
more important than the salvation of an immortal 
spirit. Earthly time and life are short in compari- 
son with boundless eternity, and it is eternal in- 
terests that we are called upon to consider. 

The Apostle Paul said: 

1. It is Not Circumcision Nor Uncircumcision That 
Avails. 

Circumcision was important to the Jew. It was 
an indication of his nationality. It was not there- 
fore to be overlooked. It gave him prestige or 
standing. 

There is a great difference, however, in being a 
Jew outwardly and in being a Jew inwardly. Rom. 

2:28-29. 

Likewise is there a great difference in outward 
circumcision and inward circumcision. Rom .2:28- 
29. 

Inward circumcision is that of the heart. It 



Th e A v ailin g 1 lii n g In Christ 



45 



stands in the same relationship to the Jew that re- 
generation- or the new birth does to the Christian. 

If the heart was not right, whether the Jew had 
been circumcised or not, he was not right with God. 
1 Samuel 16:7. 

2. It Is Not Outward Standing That Avails. 

Outward standing often avails with men, but it 
does not avail with God. Many boast of their par- 
entage, and blood is important. 

(1) Good parentage is worth much in this world. 
Its value among men, in this life, is inestimable. 

It does not avail with God, however, in re- 
spect to salvation. It takes more than having a 
good father or good mother to redeem and save the' 
spirit of a man. 

(2) Social standing does not avail with God. To 
be sure, a good name is a great thing among men. 
It is to be chosen rather than great riches. Prov. 
22:1; Eccl. 7:1. It is above rubies, but it can not 
secure salvation. 1 Cor. 1:26-29. 

(3) Political standing does not avail with God. 
Honor is due a king, and we are commanded to re- 
spect authority. 1 Peter 2:13-17. The king, how- 
ever, is saved upon the same basis as is the most 
humble subject of his realm. 

The terms of salvation are the same to all. Acts 
10:34-35; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 16:30-31; Rom. 10:4; 
Eph. 2:8; John 3:16. 

(4) Financial standing can not avail with God. 
The riches of the young Ruler, who came to ask of 
Christ what good thing he could do to give him eter- 
nal life, could not save him. Matt. 19:16; Luke 18: 
18-30; Mark 10:17-30; Luke 16:23. 

No one can redeem his brother, for his redemp- 
tion is too costly. Psa. 49:7-8. 



I 

46 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



All the gold and silver of this world, and the 
riches of the land and the sea can not avail in 
the salvation of a human being. It is the blood of 
the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7) that has infinite 
merit. 

(5) Membership in the visible church can not 
avail in the salvation of man. 

Church membership is important and should not 
be neglected. It should be understood, however, 
that there is no virtue in it that secures the sal- 
vation of men. When one becomes a member of 
a church organization it is understood that before 
this occurs he has accepted Christ as his personal 
Savior, and comes into the church as a saved man. 

Church ordinances, however important and indi- 
cative they are, have no saving qualities in them. 
They are outward marks or indications of inward 
work or conditions. 

Water baptism, however important it may be 
considered by some, is only an outward sign of an 
inward work or condition. 

It is not effective of inward work or condition. 
There is no saving virtue or quality in it. It is 
not a condition of salvation. Thousands have been 
saved without it. 

Like circumcision, it is valueless in the sight of 
God without heart work or proper heart condition. 
Rom. 10:10; Col. 2:13-14; Rom. 10:4. 

2. The Positive Point of View. 

The Bible is plain upon the positive side of this 
question. The way of salvation is made so plain, so 
simple, so clear, that no one need err therein. Isa. 
35:8; Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9; John 3:16; Acts 
16:31. 



The Availing Thing In Christ 



47 



(1) The right condition of the heart is exceed- 
ingly important. There is a blessing pronounced 
upon heart purity. Matt. 5:8. We are urged to 
"keep the heart with all diligence; for out of it are 
the issues of life." Prov. 4:23. It is heart faith 
that is the connecting link between us *and Christ, 
the channel through which becomes to us the right- 
eousness of Christ. Rom. 10:10. This faith is an 
essential element in the condition of our acceptance 
of salvation. Gal. 5:6. 

(2 The condition of the inner man is essential. 
The outer man is important in his sphere. The body 
is the earthly home of the human spirit. 

Care should be taken for its protection. Its 
health should be carefully guarded. God expects 
this much of every one of us. 

The inner man is the spirit, the immortal part 
of a man. 

This is the transcendentally important part of 
man. This is the part that must be changed from 
nature to grace. This is the part in which Christ 
must be formed the hope of glory. Gal. 4:19; Col. 
1:27. The outer man is decaying, wearing away, but 
God is careful that the inner man of His children 
shall be renewed day by day. 2 Cor. 4:16; Eph. 
3:16. 

(3) A new creature avails in Christ. 

Evidently the Bible teaches that in regeneration, 
in the new birth, that the man regenerated becomes 
a new creature. Spiritually he is a new man. "Old 
things are passed away; behold, they are become 
new." 2 Cor. 5:17; John 3:3; Col. 3:10. The bap- 
tism of the Holy Spirit so beautifully brought out 
in the sixth chapter of Romans is effective in this 
new creation. Gal. 3:27-28. 



48 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



By this same Holy Spirit baptism we are all bap- 
tized into one body. 1 Cor. 12:12-13. We become 
partakers of the nature of Christ (2 Peter 1:4) and 
by the Spirit of the Lord we "are changed into the 
same image from glory to glory." 2 Cor. 3:18. 

Without this new creation, this becoming a new 
creature in Christ Jesus, there is no salvation for 
us. 

II. HOW WE BECOME NEW CREATURES. 

The steps in the process from nature to grace, 
from darkness to light, from sin to righteousness 
are brought out plainly in the word of God. 

1. Conviction of Sin. 

Before a man can be saved he must realize that 
he is lost. 

If a man be not aware of his illness he will not 
send for a physician. 

He can not be convinced that he needs a physi- 
cian if he feels certain that he is without ailment. 

Jesus, the Christ, used this illustration to impress 
upon the minds of His hearers the importance of 
conviction of sin. Matt. 9:12; Luke 5:32. It is a 
part of the work of the Holy Spirit to convict of 
sin. John 16:7-12. When one is deeply convicted of 
sin he is ready for the next step. 

2. Repentance. 

Repentance is a change, a turning about — a going 
a different way. 

True repentance is a result of godly sorrow for 
sin. This is not the sorrow of the world for that 
works death. 2 Cor. 7:10. 

3. Confession to God. 

Our sins must be confessed to God, for He alone 
knows the deep secrets of the human heart. 



The Availing Thing In Christ 



49 



No man knows the secrets of the heart of another. 
David confessed his sins to God. Psa. 51:1-15. He 
asked forgiveness and God forgave him. 

4. Faith — Saving Faith. 

Historical faith or belief is not sufficient for sal- 
vation. Demons believe and shudder, but they are 
not saved. James 2:19. 

The faith which is the connecting channel be- 
tween the Christian and his Savior, Jesus, the Christ, 
is a heart belief, a belief of the heart. Rom. 10:10. 
The heart as used in this passage of Scripture 
means the center of the moral and intellectual na- 
ture of man. It is likewise the center of his affec- 
tions. 

When, therefore, the heart believes or exercises 
faith it is the exercise of the whole intellectual, 
moral and spiritual man. It is for time and eternity 
the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our personal Sa- 
vior. John 1:12-13. Following this is regeneration 
— the making anew in Christ Jesus, the Lord — the 
forming of Jesus within the human spirit the hope 
of glory. We in this process become sons of God 
and heirs with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 



ffelpUss Jky&xi front Christ 

"For apart from me ye can do nothing. " John 
15:5. 

HE branch apart from the vine is without vitali- 
ty. The electric current affects only the things 
connected with the medium through which it travels. 
k limb separated from the body is dead, helpless 
and worthless. Jesus, the Christ, said: "Apart 
from me ye can do nothing." He is the spiritual 
head of the family of God. Every member of this 
family is joined to Him; where there is no connec- 
tion between Him and any individual there is no 
power for acceptable service. In the discussion of 
this subject we will consider: 

I. THE WEAKNESS OP THE NATURAL MAN. 
Man was created upright and placed under con- 
ditions and amidst surroundings calculated to ad- 
vance his own good and to glorify his Creator. Un- 
fortunately for him and his posterity, he fell from 
his original state of purity and uprightness. 

1. Man Became a Sinner. 

He disobeyed the Lord God his Creator, sinned 
and thereby brought death and a wonderful train 
of indescribable evils upon himself and his posterity. 
Gen. 3:1-24; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:12; Eccl. 7:20. He 
became defiled by sin. Gen. 6:5; Psa. 14:2-3; Isa. 
1:5-6; Rom. 3:11-19. Death is a result of sin. Rom. 
5:12; Rom. 6:23. 

2. Sin's Strong Hold Upon Man Renders Him Help- 
less. 

Sin is a weakening power and renders its devotees 
practically helpless. It weakens one's intellect, his 
will and every element of his mental, moral and 




Helpless Apart From Christ 



51 



physical nature. Its grasp becomes so powerful 
upon the sinner that he becomes unable to deliver 
himself, and this condition prevails before he real- 
izes the awfulness of his situation. Jer. 13:23; Isa. 
1:5; Jer. 2:22; Matt. 23:33; Jer. 17:9; Matt. 15:19. 

He is in the snare of the devil and is being taken 
captive by him unto his will. II Tim. 2:26. He is 
blinded by the god of this world (II Cor. 4:4) and is 
rushing madly to destruction. Prov. 1:27-31; Phil. 
3:17-19; I Thess. 5:3; II Thess. 1:9. 

3. He is Deceived in Reference to Himself. 

With the blindness brought about by sin it is 
easy for the sinner to be deceived in reference to his 
unfortunate condition. Many sinners regard them- 
selves in a very favorable light. They claim to be 
as good as anyone, and even boast of their right- 
eousness. They severely criticise church members 
and declare themselves better than many, if not 
better than most, of church members. In making 
the comparison they compare themselves with the 
worst element in the churches. They have not in- 
formed themselves in regard to the plain teaching of 
the Word of God in reference to fallen humanity. 
The Bible says "All have sinned and fall short of the 
glory of God. Rom. 3:12, 23; Eccl. 7:20; James 2: 
10; Rom. 3:19; Psa. 14:2, 3; Isa. 1:5, 6. It is a 
fact that no one can justly boast of his own right- 
eousness. Matt. 5:20; Luke 19:10; James 2:10; 
John 3:19-20. 

II. THE CHRISTIAN IS WEAK APART FROM 
CHRIST. 

The language of my text refers to the Christian, 
and only to him, but in order to get an understand- 
ing of the weakness of human nature we have con- 
sidered the conditions of the sinner as throwing 



52 



Se nnons — Practical, Devotional 



light upon the weakness of the Christian even after 
his acceptance of Christ as his personal Savior. He 
is so weak that Jesus, the Christ, said to him: 
"Apart from me ye can do nothing." 
1. The Christian Retains the Adamic Nature. 

Regeneration affects the inner man, the spirit, the 
spiritual nature. The physical body for its purifica- 
tion and cleansing awaits physical death, the return- 
ing back to its mother dust, and tl*e resurrection of 
the body, and the adoption which brings it "into the 
family of God. The spirit is born into the family 
of God; the body at the resurrection is adopted into 
the family of God. Rom. 8:23. 

As long as the Christian lives in this world the 
Adamic nature will give him trouble. This nature is 
denominated "the flesh." It is sometimes called 
"the old man." The Apostles had "no confidence in 
the flesh." Phil. 3:3. 

Paul admitted that sin dwelt in him, in his flesh. 
Rom. 7:17-18. And that it gave him trouble. Rom. 
7:20-21. He advised Christians to make no pro- 
vision to fulfill the lust of the flesh. Rom. 13:14. 
He said they were not debtors to the flesh. Rom. 
8:12. He advised the putting to death of "the mem- 
bers which are upon the earth." Col. 3:5-7. 

The Psalmist realized his sad estate when he 
said: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and 
in sin did my mother conceive me." Psa. 51:5. 
The Prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 17:9) gives expression 
to the fearful condition of the heart, and Paul in 
Rom. 3:10-12 speaks of the unrighteous condition of 
all men. John speaks of the prevalence of sin. I 
John 1:8. 

Solomon, the wise man, spoke of the condition of 
the heart, (Pro v. 20:9) and the fact of wrong in 
the lives of good men. Eccl. 7:20. 



Helpless Apart From Christ 



53 



2. The Christian Has a New Nature — the Regene- 
rate Nature. 

Evidently there are two natures in the believer, 
the human and the divine. He received human na- 
ture by natural or ordinary generation. He receives 
divine nature by regeneration. The divine nature 
in the believer is not a transformation of the old 
or human nature, but is a new nature — a regenera- 
tion — a new creation. 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15. He 
is born of the Spirit of God, is born again, born 
anew. John 3:3-8. In this new birth or regenera- 
tion he becomes a child of God. John 1:12-13. He 
puts on the new man. Eph. 4:24. He partakes of 
the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4. Christ is "formed 
within him the hope of glory." Gal. 4:19; Col. 1:27. 

3. These Two Natures in the Christian Are in Con- 
stant Conflict. 

Every Christian is conscious of the contention 
going on in his own life between the old and the new 
natures residing in him. The Apostle Paul realized 
this constant warring in his own Christian life. 
Rom. 7:23. These natures are necessarily antagon- 
istic the one to the other, each contending for su- 
premacy in the heart and life of the Christian. 
Rom. 8:6, 7, 13. This became a serious matter to 
the great Apostle, but one full of hope and joy. 
Rom. 7:24-25. 

As Christians we often find our experiences in 
harmony with those of Paul in doing things of 
which we do not approve, struggling to overcome 
the evil in our lives. Rom. 7:14-22. 

In this struggle it requires prayer, the study and 
use of God's word and earnest efforts to obtain vic- 
tory and honor our God. 1 Cor. 9:27; John 14:14; 
Matt. 4:1-11. 



54 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



III. JESUS, THE CHRIST, IS THE POWER IN 
THE CHRISTIAN'S LIFE. 

Often as Christians we feel that the struggles 
through which we are passing are too severe for us. 
Failure and loss of courage and hope stare us in the 
face. Of ourselves we are helpless. John 15:5. 

Were it not for the fact that we have a kind, pre- 
cious, helpful, loving friend, whose abiding presence 
is in our hearts and to whom we can take all of 
our troubles, and who is willing and able to help 
us, we would give up in despair. We know that 
"apart from" Him we "can do nothing," but that 
when we give Him the right of way in our hearts 
and lives that victory is always ours through Him. 

1. In Resisting Evil — Overcoming Temptation. 

Every one of God's children is tempted, tried, 
tested every day. Jesus, the Christ, was tempted, 
tried, tested. Matt. 4:1-11. He gained the victory 
over the tempter by the use of the Word of God. 
He is our friend. He understands our weaknesses. 
He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities 
and will help us. Heb. 4:15-16. God will care for 
us, and provide for our escape in time of tempta- 
tion. I Cor. 10:13. 

We have all to gain and nothing to lose in cling- 
ing to Him who is our Savior, our Lord, our God. 

We are taught that on the way to heaven we shall 
have to "fight the world, the flesh and the devil." 

The world gets in the way of many men. Its fas- 
cinations, its business, its cares and anxieties over- 
come many. The flesh, self, inclination in the wrong- 
direction, become tyrannical masters when permit- 
ted to do so. 

Perverted appetites and lust overcome thousands 
of otherwise good people. 



Helpless Apart From Christ 



55 



The devil, with his deceptions, often coming as an 
angel of light, mustering his forces, misleads, de- 
ceives, blindfolds and leads many into serious trou- 
ble. Victory over self is a wonderful conquest, and 
it is difficult to accomplish. Prov. 16:32. 

If we follow Him who is the author of our salva- 
tion (Heb. 2:10) we shall come out victorious, "more 
than conquerors through Him that loved us." Rom. 
8:37. We shall prevail over every evil habit, every 
temptation, every difficulty that presents itself in 
our way. 

2. For Work — Consecrated Service. 

The duty of the Christian in this world is to work 
for God, to "trust in Jehovah, and do good." Psa. 
37:3. To bear fruit is what Christ demands of those 
who love Him. 

The fruit is on the branch and not on the vine. 
God's children are the salt of the earth. Matt 5:13. 

For fruit-bearing and savory influence there must 
be connection with Christ, for the power of the 
Christian comes from Jesus Christ, our Lord. Jesus 
the Christ, plainly teaches in the fifteenth chapter 
of John the indispensableness of vital connection 
with Him. 

The fact that there is so much preaching without 
power, praying without answers, and so many other 
forms of religious activities without effectiveness, is 
accounted for upon the basis that this vital connec- 
tion with Christ is not maintained and recognized 
as it should be. 

There is too much work done in the name and in 
the interest of the one doing the work and not in 
the name and for the cause of Christ. He must 
be the power in every effective sermon, every an- 
swered prayer, and in every form of religious ac- 



56 



Sermons—Practical, Devotional 



tivity that honors God and reaches the salvation 
of men. 

A consecrated life is impossible without Christ 
being the center and the power of that life. 

However educated, learned or eloquent, a man 
may be without Christ as the inspiration of his 
heart and work he is a failure. Men of inferior 
talents and meager education, when given wholly 
to the Lord, can be used of Him to His glory in 
the accomplishment of His purposes in this world. 

3. For Happiness, Guidance, Final Victory. 

Whatever else may be said of men, it is true that 
every man is seeking happiness. They differ as to 
what will make them happy. It is true, also, that 
men need a guide in the affairs of life. Many learn 
by sad experience that they do not know in many 
instances what is best for them. They realize the 
fact that they need a guide, that their footsteps 
may be ordered aright in this world — all look, hope 
and trust for final victory at the end of their earth- 
ly pilgrimage. 

How is this to be obtained? 

This matter of transcendent importance will be 
realized by making Jesus, the Christ, a personal Sa- 
vior, and making Him, first of all, the center 
and power of the heart and life. He then will re- 
veal Himself as the ever-abiding, comforting, help- 
ing friend and Savior. To such as do this, earth 
never will have a sorrow, a wound, an affliction, 
that heaven can not heal. Every temptation will 
be met and the tempter routed. Triumph in death, 
and a happy, glad welcome through the heavenly 
portals shall be given to all who thus honor the 
Lord. 



"I can do all things in him that strengthened 
me." Phil. 4:13. 

THE branch bears fruit when connected with the 
vine. Its strength and vitality comes from the 
vine. The value of a limb is estimated by its health- 
ful connection with the body. The Christian is pow- 
erful when connected with Christ, but without this 
connection he can do nothing. — John 15:5. 

The way from earth to heaven is beset with dif- 
ficulties, trials, hardships, struggles, tribulations, 
pleasures, joys, victories and ultimate triumph. 

It is not all dark, neither is it all beautiful and 
bright. There is never a day so bright but that 
there is somewhere a shadow. There is never a 
day nor cloud so dark but that there is somewhere 
a silver lining. " Somewhere the sun is always shin- 
ing." To the unrepentant sinner there is after all 
not much in life to be desired. To the Christian 
abiding in Christ life is a wonderful possibility and 
an ultimate triumph. 

It is the glory of manhood to be consecrated to 
God. It is the glory of the Christian to abide in 
Christ and bear much fruit. There is no higher oc- 
cupation than devoted service to God. 

Acceptable, profitable, successful service is per- 
formed only by those who abide in Christ. 

Many a Christian goes plodding through life hav- 
ing his ups and downs, failures in acceptable ser- 
vice, constantly making mistakes, selfish, and self- 
opinionated and finally barely gets to heaven, his 
life work burned up "but he himself shall be saved; 
yet so as through fire." I Cor. 3:15. 
The Apostle Paul was a great man. 



58 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



He had his struggles and trials, but his life was 
a great success, and his success was through Christ, 
who strengthened him. We will consider: 

I. SOME DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY OF THE 
APOSTLE PAUL. 

All lives in this world have difficulties. 

Every life has its peculiar difficulties. 

Many of the difficulties through which Paul passed 
were common to other Christians of his day and of 
our day, but some of them were peculiar to himself. 

1. Poverty Was in His Way. 

Poverty is a difficulty. It is a hindrance. It is 
often in the way of success. Sometimes, however, 
it becomes beneficial in that it teaches us lessons 
of dependence upon God the giver of every good and 
perfect gift. James 1:17. It also helps us to love 
friends who come to our relief in times of need. 
The Philippians assisted the Apostle Paul when he 
was in need. He learned a great lesson because of 
poverty. Phil. 4:11-12; 4:14-17. He could endure 
want, for Christ strengthened him. Phil. 4:13. 

2. Afflictions. 

The Apostle Paul endured afflictions for the sake 
of his Lord. One of these afflictions was a "thorn 
in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet" him. 2 
Cor. 12:7-10. He prayed the Lord for its removal, 
but the Lord did better for him than he asked. He 
gave Paul grace to bear this affliction. 2 Cor. 
12:9. For the sake of his Lord he was cast into 
prison, beaten with rods and stoned, and was ex- 
posed to many dangers. 2 Cor. 11:23-27. Finally 
Paul gave up his life for the cause he so earnestly 
espoused. The ending of his life was a great tri- 
umph to him, as he passed on to glory and to God. 
II Tim. 4:6-8. 



Powerful In Christ 



59 



God was his strength and life, his ever present 
helper. Phil. 4:13. 

It is the privilege of Christians today to learn a 
lesson from the Apostle Paul. To be sure afflic- 
tions will come upon us. We should bear them, for 
in their endurance God will bless us. IF Cor. 4:17; 
Rom. 8:18. 

3. Persecutions. 

The Apostle Paul had many persecutions inflicted 
upon him. He bore them as a faithful soldier of 
the cross of Christ. Acts 13:50; 1 Cor. 4:12; I 
Thess. 2:15. Nero's sword, dripping with the blood 
of the saints, and an army of principalities and pow- 
ers were against him. He refused to become dis- 
couraged. His faith was in God, and he would not 
be cast down. 2 Cor. 4:8-10. 

As Christians we may learn many lessons from 
the hardships endured by Paul and the early Chris- 
tians. We are taught abundantly in the word of 
God that we shall suffer persecution. John 15:20; 
II Tim. 3:12. 

Jesus, the Christ, taught His disciples to treat 
kindly their enemies, and to pray for their persecut- 
ors. Matt. 5:44. He pronounced a blessing on those 
persecuted for righteousnesses sake. Matt. 5:10-12. 

4. Disappointing Circumstances. 

Paul, the Apostle, encountered many disappointing 
circumstances. False brethren, perverse teachers, 
meddlers were often in evidence. These often hin- 
dered the gospel. He experienced shipwreck and 
imprisonment. Notwithstanding all these things he 
refused to become discouraged. He lived in full 
assurance of the possibility expressed in my text. 
Phil. 4:13. 

The lesson in this for us is that in our work as 
Christians, preachers, officers and lay members of 



60 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



the Church we may expect many disappointing cir- 
cumstances. 

There is the chronic grumbler, who never was, 
is not, and never will be satisfied until he or she 
gets to heaven. There are those in almost every 
congregation who believe that former preachers, 
former members were better than those of the pres- 
ent. They set themselves against progress. They 
are unwilling to do anything and they never did 
do much. There are those who are always expect- 
ing the church to go to pieces. They look on the 
dark side of every question. These things consti- 
tute a load hard for the minister to carry. Here 
is the opportunity for the exercise of patience, and 
to learn to "suffer hardship" as a good soldier of 
Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. 2:3. 

We should adopt the Pauline assurance of my 
text: "I can do all things in Him that strength- 
ened me." Phil. 4:13. We should not falter, but 
go forward in the work of the Lord. Our possibili- 
ties are measured by our connection with Jehovah, 
our God, and our abiding in Him. 

II. PAUL THE APOSTLE WAS MORE POWER- 
FUL THAN SAUL OF TARSUS. 
Regeneration, the new birth, results in a new 
man. Paul the Apostle was different from Saul of 
Tarsus because God had made him a new man in 
Christ Jesus the Lord. 

1. Saul of Tarsus the Man Out of Christ. 

The spirit of the devil, the enemy of man and of 
God, dwells in an unregenerate man, and has con- 
trol largely over him. To be sure, there are many 
whom the world calls good men who have not sur- 
rendered their hearts and their lives to the Lord 
Jesus Christ and have not experienced the new 



Powerful In Christ 



61 



birth. A Biblical testing of their goodness shows 
them not to be of God. 

Saul of Tarsus, the man out of Christ, was con- 
quered. Acts 9:1-25. Paul, the man in Christ, could 
not be conquered. The devil can not stand before 
Almighty God. Those under the influence and pow- 
er of God are conquerers through Him that loved 
them. Rom. 8:37. 

Saul of Tarsus was subject to evil, and was under 
the influence and power of evil. The love of God 
did not dwell in him. He failed and so all not in 
Christ shall fail. 

Fortunately for him, he failed as an evil man, 
doing evil, and surrendered himself to God. His 
name was changed to Paul, and he afterwards be- 
came a mighty man of God. 

2. Paul, the Man in Christ. 

There was wrought in Saul of Tarsus a wonder- 
ful change by the power of God. This circumstance 
constitutes a true and interesting story and may be 
read in Acts 9:1-30. 

His name was changed to Paul. 

He becomes Paul, the man in Christ Jesus. He 
had been delivered from the power of darkness and 
translated into the kingdom of the Son of God. Col. 
1:13. He is a changed man. His relationship to 
God, to the devil, and to his fellowman was changed. 
He is a new man, new character, new motives, new 
life, and is now to do a new and mighty work. 

3. Paul, the Man Strengthened Through Christ. 

For great and successful work for God it is not 
sufficient just merely to be regenerated to become 
a new man in Christ Jesus, but we must have daily 
strength from Him, and abide in Him. Without this 
abiding in Him, this constant reliance upon Him, 



62 Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



the Christian can do but little for God. Jesus said: 
"Without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5. 

Paul experienced constant abiding in Christ. There 
has never lived a greater man than the Apostle 
Paul, greater in sacrifice, devotion, consecration, as 
a conqueror of difficulties, and more triumphant in 
death. II Tim. 4:6-8. He could do "all things in 
Him" that strengthened him. 

III. CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENED BY CHRIST 
LIKE PAUL CAN DO ALL THINGS. 

Christ Jesus, our Lord, is the source of strength 
for every Christian. He is the unfailing source of 
life, strength, courage and comfort. Every victory 
we have as Christians is obtained by the strength 
we have in Christ. Col. 1:10-11. 

"Christ is all, and in all" to us. Col. 3:11. He 
is to us "the rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys." 
Songs 2:1. 

1. Christians Can Endure Poverty and Preach 
Uhrist. 

Paul considered it a great privilege and honor to 
preach Christ even if he had to labor with his 
hands, supporting himself while he was doing this 
work. I Thess. 2:9; Acts 20:34-35. In this he 
taught Christians a great lesson. His was a great 
example. 

Many ministers of the gospel in this way preach- 
ing Christ with earnestness, devotion, self-sacrifice, 
laboring with their own hands for a living have 
followed the noble example of the Apostle Paul. It 
has been done in many thousands of instances. It 
is being done today by many faithful and able min- 
isters of the Gospel. 

Devotion to God and self-sacrifice for His cause 
are in evidence among His people. It is Jesus the 



Powerful In Christ 



63 



Christ who strenthens His people for such noble ser- 
vice. Phil. 4:13. 

2. Christians Can Rejoice Within Prison Walls, in 
Stocks and Bonds. 

It mattered not what difficulties the Apostles had 
to pass through, they always found occasion for re- 
joicing in Christ Jesus, their Savior. 

It was so with the church fathers and the mar- 
tyrs of a few centuries ago. It was Christ in them, 
the power of their lives, the joy of their hearts, 
the strength of their Christian manhood that enabled 
them to be and to do with joy what the Lord de- 
sired of them. 

Like the Apostle Paul, they counted "all things 
to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of 
Christ." Phil. 3:8. 

The same Christian spirit, devotion, self-sacrifice 
even to the giving up of bodily life, should the 
necessity arise, for the cause of Christ, exist today. 

3. Christians Can Rejoice in Afflictions. 

Some of the happiest Christians in this world 
have serious bodily afflictions. 

God sustains them in their afflictions. 

They realize the wonderful fact revealed in Rom. 
8:28, and are willing to trust God in their afflic- 
tions. Rom. 8:18. 

They know that to those who mourn there is 
comfort. Matt. 5:4. They often think their afflic- 
tions mean good to them. Heb. 12:6-13. They recog- 
nize themselves as partakers of Christ's sufferings 
and hope for the joy which is to follow. 1 Peter 
4:13-14; 2 Cor. 4:17. They are looking for a place 
among the happy throng that John on the Isle of 
Patmos saw in the heavenly city. Rev. 7:9-12. 



64 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



A lady, who was born and reared in wealth and 
luxury, married a man not a successful financier, 
who lost her property, became seriously afflicted, 
and many years afterwards said to the writer, "I 
am glad I have been afflicted. I have been bed- 
ridden twenty years." Then as tears of joy trickled 
down her cheeks, she said, "If I had not been afflict- 
ed I never would have known the sweetness and 
power of the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ. I 
am more than paid for all my sufferings." Some 
years after this she went home to heaven. 

4. Christians Are Triumphant in Death. 

To many Christians their dying hour is the hap- 
piest time of their existence in this world. As their 
natural life goes out there comes to them the great- 
est victory, triumph, sweetest joy they have ever 
known. This is a wonderful possibility for all who 
in Christ are strengthened. Phil. 4:13. 

Victory, triumph, crowned the death scene of the 
Apostle Paul. Read what he said of it beforehand. 
2 Tim. 4:5-8. 

The sainted Stephen passed out from this world 
in great triumph and glory. Acts 7:55-60. The 
death scene of Lazarus was great, although he died 
at the rich man's gate in the midst of earthly pov- 
erty, suffering, dogs licking his sores. It was, how- 
ever, a most triumphant death for angels were there 
and bore his happy spirit to Abraham's bosom. 
Luke 16:22. 



"Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sus- 
tain thee." Psa. 55:22. 

HERE are. no burdenless hearts. Sin made a 
wreck of humanity. Its withering curse is se- 
vere. In its train of evils there are burdens innu- 
merable, and hard to be borne. 

Everywhere you go throughout this world there 
are burdened hearts, men and women with disap- 
pointed hopes, full of sorrow, unsatisfied, unhappy, 
and longing for a better life, and a happier state of 
existence. 

From the foregone we conclude: 

I. ALL HAVE THEIR BURDENS. 

It has been said that "in every home there is a 
skeleton in the closet," something that is not pleas- 
ant, something that needs to be remedied, and it 
is a well known fact that every human heart has 
its sorrows, its disappointments. To be sure, life 
is largely what we make it. There is the dark and 
the bright side to most of things we meet, and these 
appear as we see or imagine we see them. 

1. Some Have Imaginary Burdens. 

When w x e carefully study, analyze, investigate 
the burdens borne by men and women, we find that 
most of them are only imaginary burdens. They 
have no real existence except in the mind. They 
often originate from a diseased condition of the 
internal nerves, causing one to look on the dark 
side of almost everything, imagining some evil is 
coming, some wrong is being done. It brings about 
suspense, an unhappy condition. 

That these imaginary burdens are harmful cannot 




66 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



be questioned. They bear one down. They worry, 
depress, and make bitter one's lot in life. They 
bring on premature old age and decay. They harm 
one's influence for good. They unfit any one for 
pleasant companionship. 

The patent medicine quacks of other days took 
advantage of the weaknesses brought about by im- 
aginary ills, and by publishing almanacs and other 
bogus advertisements caused many readers of 
such to believe that they had the diseases described, 
and what they needed was the medicine advertised. 
Millions of dollars have been fraudulently gathered 
from people duped in this way. 

It is said that many medical students when be- 
ginning their studies in the professional school judge 
themselves to be afflicted with most of the diseases 
described in their medical text-books. Imagination, 
while exceedingly important in its proper place and 
exercise, plays a wonderful part in deceiving many 
people, and works for them much harm. Many go 
about with bowed heads and sad hearts anticipating 
the crossing of difficult bridges which exist only in 
the imagination, and are never reached. In some 
instances imaginary evils work almost as much harm 
as real evils. If we are troubled with such burdens 
we should rid ourselves of them. 

2. Some Have Real Burdens. 

That there are real burdens, and many real bur- 
dens, can not be truthfully denied. They exist to 
the sorrow and perplexity of many good people. 
There are sad days and broken hearts. 

1. Some Have Weaknesses. 

i Where is the man who is not subject to tempta- 
tion? He is not to be found in this world. 

Every one without exception has some weakness, 



What To Do With Our Burdens 



67 



some liability to temptation. The weaknesses of 
different individuals differ widely according to tem- 
perament, and perversion of natural tendencies. 

Some are weak in one direction, and some are 
weak in other directions. These weaknesses are 
real burdens, and it is painful to endure, them. Gal. 
6:1. 

2. Some Have Bodily Afflictions. 

Bodily disease is a reality. The seeds of mortal 
death are sown in every human body. Job. 30:23; 
Eccl. 9:5; Rom. 5:12; I Cor. 15:21-26. Many suffer 
intense physical agony. 

3. Some Are Bereft. 

Bereavements, the loss of loved ones by death, 
are real causes of sorrow, and become burdens hard 
to bear. II Sam. 18:22-33; 19:4; John 11:35. There 
are some who never overcome these bereavements, 
and die of broken hearts. 

II. THERE MUST BE A DISPOSITION OF BUR- 
DENS. 

Burdens of themselves will not go away. Some- 
thing must be done with them. 

This becomes a matter of deep interest, and of 
serious consideration. 

1. Some Try to Bear Their Burdens Themselves. 

Most people do not desire to worry others with 
their troubles. Some endeavor to bear alone their 
sorrows and their griefs. They become discour- 
aged. They realize that the task is more than they 
can accomplish. They feel that they need help. 
They do not understand themselves, their burdens, 
nor the real source of help for every one who is 
in need. When about ready to break down under 
the load they are bearing, like the Psalmist when 



68 -Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



he was discouraged, they cry out, "Oh that I had 
wings like a dove! Then would I fly away and be 
at rest." Jrsa. 55:6-8. This is not the way to get 
rid of trouble. A wounded or broken heart needs 
something more than the wings of a dove. It needs 
something more substantial than flying to any place 
in this world in search of rest. Relief, rest, peace 
does not come that way. A personality is needed. 
A burden bearer must be sought. A warm, gentle, 
loving heart, possessed by one who is able to bear 
all our burdens is the only solution to the difficulty. 

2. We Should Cast Our Burdens Upon Jehovah. 

Jehovah is our burden bearer. 

He alone understands us, our burdens, and how 
to help us. He knows all about us, and loves us 
more tenderly than a fond mother loves her child. 
Our sorrows touch His heart, the great loving heart 
of the Son of God. 

It is comforting to us to know that, "Like as a 
father pitieth his children, so Jehovah pitieth them 
that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He re- 
membereth that we are dust." Psa. 103:13-14. The 
Apostle Peter tells us that Jesus Christ our Savior 
cares for us. I Peter 5:7. We know He is touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities. Heb. 4:17. Be- 
cause of the intimate relation we sustain to Him as 
our Redeemer, our Lord, we can tell Him of every 
wave of sorrow that comes into our hearts. 

There is nothing too small or too great for Him. 
He can bear all our burdens and we should cast 
them upon Him. How shall we do this? 

(1) By prayer. The poet beautifully and truth- 
fully sings, "I must tell Jesus all of my troubles." 
The disciples of John the Baptist told Jesus of their 
troubles. Matt. 14:12. A father told Jesus about 



What To Do With Our Burdens 



69 



his son. Matt. 17:14-18. A father told Jesus of his 
only daughter. Mark 5:23; Luke 8:41-55. Two sis- 
ters told Jesus of their brother's death. John 11: 
21-32. An afflicted man told Jesus of his afflictions. 
Luke 5:12-13. The dying . thief made an earnest re- 
quest of Jesus. Luke 23:42-43. 

Jesus, the Christ, took the burdens upon Himself 
of all those who came to Him. He turned none of 
them away without the needed help. He will hear 
our prayers. He will bear our burdens. 

(2) By standing on the promises of God. 

It is said there are more than three thousand 
promises in the Bible. God is sincere in His prom- 
ises made to us. He desires us to try these prom- 
ises and prove them. God has never broken a prom- 
ise, and He will never fail to give the needed relief 
when the condition is met. Heb. 6:18. There are 
today many living witnesses to the fact that God 
hears and answers prayer. We ourselves can tes- 
tify to this fact. We have had many sweet experi- 
ences that place this comforting truth beyond con- 
troversy. It is, therefore, safe and reasonable for us 
to plant our feet firmly on the promises of God, and 
rejoice in the blessed assurance given in His word. 

III. WHEN OUR BURDENS ARE CAST UPON 
THE LORD HE WILL SUSTAIN US. 

Job, a great Biblical character, when dispossessed 
of his property, forsaken by his former friends, be- 
reaved of his children, and wrongly advised by his 
wife, committed all to God, and cast his burdens 
upon the Lord. The Lord sustained him. Abraham, 
David, the Prophets, Apostles, martyrs and reform- 
ers tried the Lord God in their day by casting their 
burdens upon Him, and He sustained them. 

He was no truer to them than He will be to us. 



70 



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It is a reasonable act, and we are fully justified in 
committing in confidence every one of our burdens 
unto Him. He will not disappoint us. 

1. He Will Give Grace in Time of Need. 

Grace is free unmerited favor. God is generous 
in the bestowment of His favors. It is His delight 
to help us when we need His favors. We are in- 
debted to Him for every good and perfect gift that 
has come down to us from above. He has prom- 
ised grace to help us in every time of need. Heb. 
4:16. 

2. He Gives the Power of Endurance. 

The Apostle Paul had a hindrance, a thorn in 
the flesh, a difficulty hard to overcome. He asked 
the Lord to take it away. Jehovah did him a greater 
favor than to remove the difficulty. He gave him 
grace to endure it. It is often more gracious in 
Jehovah to give us the power of endurance than to 
remove the sorrow, the difficulty, the obstacle seem- 
ingly in our way that may be designed to make us 
humble, prayerful, consecrated and true to God. He 
gave Job, Paul and the martyrs wonderful power of 
endurance. He will gladly give it. to us when we 
need it. 

3. He Places His Everlasting Arms Underneath 
Us, and Sustains Us. 

This was the happy lot of God's children in the 
days of Moses. Deut. 33:27. 

Our relationship to Jehovah is a personal rela- 
tionship. We live in spirit touch with Him. He is 
not a far-off being, but our God within us, a mighty, 
living, present, helpful, precious Savior. He is with 
us to protect us, and ward off danger. When we 
are weak, He is strong. When we become discour- 



What To Do With Our Burdens 



71 



aged, and feel that our strength, is failing, and that 
we are sinking into despair, He places His everlast- 
ing arms underneath us and sustains us. 

We become conscious of His presence, and of the 
spiritual uplift He gives us as He presses us to His 
bosom. We feel the pulsations of His great heart 
as it beats for us. We have sweet communion with 
Him, lifting our spirits into ecstacy full of glory, 
and inexpressible delight. Our burdens are gone. 
They are upon Him. We are gloriously happy in 
His love. He is ours and we are His forever. 



"Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the 
law of Christ." Gal. 6:2. 



.._.;:;> Christianity. The contrary is deplorable and 
is despicable even among the basest of men. "For 
none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to him- 
self." Rom. 14:7. Even the physical comforts and 
conveniences we have, the food we eat and the 
clothes we wear are furnished us either directly or 
indirectly by the combination of efforts of many 
men. We are also intimately related spiritually if 
not physically, and are therefore obligated to bear 
one another's burdens. 

We are the family of God on earth. God is our 
Father. Jesus Christ, our Lord, is our elder broth- 
er. He is our spiritual head. We are brothers and 
sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matt. 12:49-50; 
Rom. 12:10; Gal. 6:1; 1 Thess 4:9; Heb. 13:1; 1 
John 3:17. 

In the consideration of this text we affirm 

I. THE LAW OF CHRIST IS LOVE. 
Love is the greatest principle in this world. It 
is wonderfully comprehensive. 

1. It is Love to God. 

It is abundantly taught in the Bible that we are 
to love God. We must love Him supremely. He is 
to be first and above all others in our affections, our 
devotions. We are to love Him with every power 
of our being. Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:37-38; Mark 12: 
33. 

2. It Is Love to Our Fellowman. 

Next to God our Father we should love our fel- 




helpfulness is the spirit of 



Helping Others To Bear Their Burdens 73 



lowman. In fact if we love God we will love out 
fellowman. Love to God and love to our fellow- 
man in some way go together. With the under- 
standing that we make God first in our hearts, love 
to our fellowman can not be overestimated. Its 
value is of untold advantage. For us to love our 
fellowman helps him, and this kind of love is re- 
flexive. It ennobles us. It enlarges our vision. It 
sweetens our lives. It develops our moral and spir- 
itual natures, and helps us to become more like 
God, and to fulfill our mission in life. Rom. 13: 
8-9; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8. 

3. It Is Especially Love to God's Children. 

If we be Christians it is according to our spirit- 
ual nature that we love God, and if we love God 
we will love those who love Him, and those He es- 
pecially loves. Our love to God's children is an 
evidence that we love God, and that we are His 
children. I John 3:17; I John 5:1; 4:20; 3:13; 
Gal. 6:10. 

The spiritual relations we sustain to one an- 
other as God's children, members of His family, 
are closer and more important relations than the 
physical relations we sustain to one another. Matt. 
12:49-50. 

II. THE EXPRESSION OF THE FULFILLMENT 
OF THE LAW OF CHRIST. 

It does us but little good to know what the law 
of Christ is, if we do not fulfill the law by putting 
its principles into practice. There are two points 
of view: the negative and the positive. 
1. The Negative Point of View. 

We are taught that "love worketh no ill to his 
neighbor." Rom. 13:10; Gal. 5:14. 

If we claim that we love God and His children 



74 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



and we are continuously doing His children harm, 
our claim is unfounded. We are deceiving our- 
selves, or we are intentionally false to our claim. 

Again, love is not self-centered. 

It goes out from one to another. 

The Christian loving God and enjoying His pres- 
ence and favors, desires others to have these ines- 
timable blessings. Rom. 12:10; Phil. 2:3. 

2. The Positive Point of View. 

Love is an active, positive principle. 

It is never satisfied unless it is helping others. 
It is full of helpfulness. It is constantly going 
out, seeking, endeavoring to help some one. It is 
Godlike in its nature. 

It is willing to sacrifice for others and to suffer 
for them if by this means it can do them good. 

The fulfillment of the law of Christ is thus ex- 
pressed, and its expression is not misunderstood. 
When we see it we know it is of God, and that it 
is in harmony with His will. 

The greater the sacrifices, and the more serious 
the sufferings endured for others, the sweeter and 
more inspiring are the joys resulting from doing 
good to those who need our help. 

The Apostle Paul lived out this principle when 
he preached the Gospel under the most discourag- 
ing circumstances from house to house. Acts 20: 
19-21. The missionary in the foreign land exhibits 
this principle when he faces dangers to take the 
Gospel to the benighted, and endeavors to lead 
them into the marvelous light and liberty of the 
children of God. 



Helping Others To Bear Their Burdens 



75 



III. SOME BURDENS WE SHOULD HELP OTH- 
ERS TO BEAR. 

There are many burdens. Many hard burdens 
are being borne by many of God's children. Every- 
where there are burdened hearts, and there are 
many opportunities in our pathway to lend a help- 
ing hand to lighten some burden and brighten some 
life. There are aching hearts that need the con- 
solation of the Gospel, and it is our duty as well 
as our exalted privilege to lead disconsolate ones 
to Jesus, the Christ, the great burden bearer. We 
should consider it a great privilege to serve our 
fellowman in helping him to bear his burdens, and 
the following are some of the burdens we should 
help others to bear:. 

1. Poverty. 

Poverty is a blessing only when God makes it so. 
In itself it is not a blessing, but a burden hard to 
be borne. It is exceedingly inconvenient, and often 
painfully embarrassing. It brings briny tears to 
innocent eyes, and bleeds human hearts with dis- 
appointed hopes and withered anticipations. 

Jesus, the Christ, said: "Ye have the poor al- 
ways with you." Matt. 26:11. It is a fact, but 
why it is true we do not know. The widow, a 
mother, with innocent little children is often sadly 
distressed when hunger and cold threaten to in- 
vade her home, and produce the wail of anguish of 
wants unsupplied. She deems that education and 
good society are not for her children, and that ig- 
norance and the crudest ideals of morals and re- 
finement will be their portion in life. She loves 
her children as well as the wealthy love theirs, and 
longs with a bleeding heart to be able to elevate 



76 



Se rmo n s—P radical , Devotion a I 



them to the noblest walks in life. She feels that 
poverty is a curse and not a blessing. 

Many of the poor in this world's goods are old 
and decrepit and we can not tell why they are poor. 

They have been industrious, frugal, honest, provi- 
dent. From some <'ujnexplainable cause they are 
poor and need help. God lays it as a duty upon 
His well-to-do children to help these bear their bur- 
dens. Prov. 19:17; Heb. 6:10; Prov. 14:41; Psa. 41: 
1; Prov. 29:7. 

2. Weaknesses. 

Every one has his own weakness. Many good 
people have many weaknesses. 

These weaknesses are burdens that are hard to 
bear, and 't is with difficulty they are given the 
right disposition. 

They should be cast upon the Lord, and He will 
then bear them, and give help in every time of need. 
Many an aching heart tries to bear them, and great- 
ly needs some kind sympathizing friend to help in 
the conflict through which a hard struggle is being 
made to resist temptation. The inclination toward 
intoxicants, a high and irritable temper, falsehood, 
lust, dishonesty and many other evils bring about 
weaknesses that are hard to overcome. A kind 
loving friend can help to bear the burden. It is 
one's duty to help. It is a great pleasure to relieve 
a difficulty, to keep one from falling, but if he has 
already fallen to help him up, and to give him an- 
other start in the right direction. This should be 
done in love, and with the greatest care. Gal. 6:1. 

3. Persecution. 

Many a Christian is persecuted for Christ's sake. 
Unkind, unjust and hard things are said about him, 
and he needs the sympathy and help of others. 
Many good people have endured untold sufferings 



Helping Others To Bear Their Burdens 77 



from being misjudged and wrongly censured be- 
cause of things of which they were not guilty. 

Many a good name has been tarnished unjustly 
by unscrupulous persons, and many hearts have 
bled from unmerited wrongs. Here is a great op- 
portunity to show one's Christianity by helping to 
bear another's burden. Sympathy and love have 
here a beautiful opportunity for righteous display. 
Sad hearts may be gladdened, and clouds rifted 
away, and tarnish rubbed from good names that 
shall shine in honor and indicate the glory of right- 
eousness. 

4. Misfortunes. 

The possible misfortunes of life are many and 
varied. Their range is incalculable. Misfortunes 
may come by the loss of property, by the loss of 
character, by the loss of friends, by bodily afflic- 
tions, by serious mistakes made in anger or in un- 
guarded moments. Many men from high and 
noble walks in life have gone to prison cells. Many 
supposed great men have fallen. Many good men 
under the heat of passion, in an unguarded moment, 
have fallen into the devil's sifter and wrecked their 
influence for good. Many a great fortune has been 
wrecked in a day. Many sad accidents have oc- 
curred and left broken limbs, ruined and helpless 
bodies. 

Here is another broad and fruitful field to help 
another bear his burden. 

The Good Samaritan helped to bear the burdens 
of the unfortunate man, who while on his way from 
Jerusalem to Jericho fell among thieves and was 
robbed, beaten, stripped, wounded and left half dead. 
Others passed him by uncared for, failing to do their 
duty in observing the golden rule. 



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Sermon s — Practical, Devotion al 



5. Sorrow. 

Sooner or later sorrow will come to every home, 
to every heart. 

Separation of loved ones, death, affliction, will 
surely come to every home. The death angel like 
a heartless foe will come amidst broken hearts 
and briny tears and tear away from loving embrace 
those the heart most fondly loves. Since human 
beings have begun to people the earth it has been 
that way. Death has broken up homes, blighted 
fond prospects, deeply saddened human hearts, and 
made lonely and seemingly unbearable the lot of 
millions of men and women. The vacant chair, the 
deserted apparel, the mound in the cemetery, the 
ringing voice no longer heard, the sparkling eyes 
no longer seen, are in their way constant reminders 
of those who have gone before us into the realms 
beyond. 

Many under such conditions despair of comfort, 
and sit down with bleeding hearts and disappointed 
hopes ready to give up in the midst of the battle of 
life. 

Here is another rich field for a beautiful display 
of Christian love and human sympathy in helping 
the bereft to bear their burdens. The Bible teaches 
us that we should "weep with them that weep." 
Rom. 12:15. Jesus wept at the grave of his friend 
Lazarus. John 11:35. 

It is our duty and privilege to point the bereft 
to the example of King David, who rejoiced in the 
fact that he could in the near future go to his child 
that had gone to the city of God. II Sam. 12:33. 

Paul, the Apostle, comforted the Thessalonians in 
the hope the Gospel brings to us. I Thess 4:13-18. 

A story is told of a lonely old widow whose only 



Helping Others To Bear Their Burdens 



79 



son was her only support. He was in the employ- 
ment of a railroad. She lived near a village in 
which was the church to which she belonged. The 
sad news came one day that her son had lost his 
life in an accident. The question arose, who will 
go and tell the poor old mother of her sad misfor- 
tune? Her pastor said, "I will go!" He went out 
to her home to see her. He said to her, "Sister, 
I have sad news for you." She asked, "What is it?" 
He said, "Your son has lost his life in an accident." 
Oh, how it touched her heart! She wept, and wept, 
and wept. The minister said he put his hand in 
hers, and with her, wept and wept and wept. He 
was helping her bear her burden. 



"But it is good for me to draw near unto God." 
Psa. 73:28. 

^^ONSCIOUS nearness to God is a Christian 



It is a panacea for the ills, sorrows and troubles 
of human ilfe. It gives inspiration, power and glory 
to Christian living. It quickens the step, lightens 
the heart, and gives joy and pleasure in Christian 
activity. Duty loses its irksomeness, and its per- 
formance becomes a delightful employment. 

A Christian living in conscious nearness to God 
loves to work for God, and to help his fellowman. 

I. THE MEANING OF NEARNESS TO GOD. 

Nearness to God is understood by those only who 
live in touch daily with the Holy Spirit. Psa. 25:14; 
Psa. 91:1. There are two points of view: 

1. The Negative Point of View. 

The meaning of nearness to God as contained in 
my text has no reference to location or physical 
presence. God is everywhere. Darkness can not 
hide us from Him. The night to Him is as bright 
as the day. 

If we could take the wings of the morning and 
dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea God's pres- 
ence is there. There is no hiding from Him. There 
is no getting away from Him. Psa. 139:7-18. 

2. The Positive Point of View. 

Nearness to God in my text means the revelation 
of God's presence in the heart to the inner con- 
sciousness of the individual Christian. God often 
gives this inner revelation of Himself to those who 




It cannot be overestimated. 



Nearness To God Is Beneficial 



81 



have accepted Him as their Lord, their God, their 
Savior. 

He makes Himself known to His children by this 
spiritual revelation that there may be no mistake 
made by them as to His existence, His love, His 
salvation provided for them. 

Jesus, the Christ, had reference to this inner rev- 
elation when He said to Peter, "Blessed art thou, 
Simon Barjo-nah: for flesh and blood hath not re- 
vealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heav- 
en." Matt. 16:17. 

This inner spiritual revelation illumines the heart, 
enlightens the mind, and gives assurance of our 
acceptance with God. In John 14:21, our Lord em- 
phasizes this truth when He says He will come and 
manifest Himself to those who love Him. There is 
that sweet communion between God and His chil- 
dren that He is "altogether lovely," and to them 
"the chiefest among ten thousand." Songs of Solo- 
mon, 5:10, 16. 

The Spiritual uplift and joy that the inner reve- 
lation of the presence of God in the heart of a 
Christian brings to God's children the power to be 
happy under all conditions through which they are 
called upon to pass in this life. 

Sickness, sorrow and death are experienced often 
in the midst of joy because of the power and glory 
of this inner manifestation of the presence of God. 
Darkness and night flee away and in His manifested 
presence the love of God as a halo of light and 
glory fills the hearts of those who love Him. Psa. 
31:20; 16:11. 

II. THE WAY TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD. 

It is of great importance that we know how to 
live in nearness to God. Often the hearts of many 



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Christians grow cold, and some wander far astray, 
and lose the joys of their salvation. Psa. 51:12. We 
should know how to live in harmony with God. We 
should know how to maintain spiritual touch with 
Him. One of old in trouble said, "Oh that I knew 
where I might find Him!" Job. 23:3, 4. 

We should know that He is always in the hearts 
of His saints, and that we only have to turn and 
look within and He is there, our Lord and our God. 
The Christian's religion is largely a heart religion. 
Rom. 10:10; Ezek. 18:31; Matt. 5:8; Heb. 10:22; 
Matt. 22:37. 

The following considerations will help us: 

1. We Draw Nigh to God By the Study of His Word. 

We may not understand how there is so great 
power in the word of God as we find there is when 
we carefully study the Bible and its power among 
men. Jesus, the Christ, said, "The words that I 
have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life." John 
6:63. 

The Psalmist said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my 
feet, and light unto my path.' Psa. 119:105. He 
also said, "Thy word have I laid up in my heart 
that I might not sin against thee." Psa. 119:11. 

The word of God also has a cleansing effect upon 
those who study it. Psa. 119:9; Eph. 5:26; John 
15:3. It achieves victories. Jer. 23:29; Heb. 4:12; 
Eph. 6:17. Jesus, the Christ, overcame the tempter, 
the Devil in the wilderness by quoting to him pas- 
sages from the word of God. Matt. 4:1-11. 

When we study the word of God there is a draw- 
ing, a mysterious drawing toward Him who is our 
Lord. This is one of God's ways to bring us near 
to Him. 



Nearness To God Is Beneficial 



83 



2. We Are Drawn Near to God By Prayer. 

We may not know why God requires us to pray 
to Him, for He knows what we need, but He does 
require it. That is His way. Jesus, the Christ, 
Himself said "that they ought always to pray, and 
not to faint." Luke 18:1. He also said to His 
disciples, "If ye shall ask anything in my name, 
that will I do." John 14:14. He prayed to His 
Father often, and sometimes His prayers were 
many hours long. 

In prayer we come into close touch with God. 
Prayer softens, energizes and helps to purify our 
hearts. 

Through prayer we gain access to the heart of 
our God. It lifts us up close to Him. 

In prayer we are talking to God. 

We are telling Him of our trials, temptations, our 
failures, sorrows, our needs. He listens to us. His 
ears are open unto our cries. Psa. 34:15. 

When we read the Bible, it is God talking to us. 
He is telling us what we should know, what we 
should be, and of His great love for us. In His 
Word He tells us everything essential for our well- 
being, and our happiness in this world. 

Which is the more important, to read the Bible 
or pray, we can not tell, but we know that both are 
essential to our happiness, and to our success in 
Christian work. 

3. We Draw Nigh to God By Faithful Service. 

Obedience to God is commendable. 

It is one of the ways by which we get close to 
Him. Obedience results in much fruit and shows 
us to be disciples of Christ. John 15:8. 

We must be careful, however, and not exalt obe- 
dience to a claim of merit, for this is not in har- 



84 



Sermons —Practical, Devotional 



mony with God's plan of salvation. Luke 17:10. 

We should bear this in mind, that we should work 
like as if it were all work, pray like as if it were all 
prayer, and read God's word like as if it were all 
in reading God's word. 

III. SOME REASONS WHY IT IS GOOD TO DRAW 
NEAR TO GOD. 
Ordinarily men are not arbitrary beings. They 
have reasons for what they do. If they are called 
upon to do anything they desire to know why they 
should do it. The following are some of the reasons 
why nearness to God is beneficial: 

1. It Prepares Us To Work for Him. 

Religious duty is an irksome task without the 
softening, benign, and strengthening influence of 
the conscious presence of our God. Working for 
God is a high pleasure when we are conscious of 
His presence and of His approval. His manifested, 
conscious presence gives energy, enthusiasm, and 
creates a longing desire in us to do the will of God. 

It prepares us to work for Him. I Peter 5:4. 

2. It Prepares Us To Sacrifice for Him. 

The spirit of sacrifice is contrary to the spirit of 
the natural man — the unregenerate sinner. 

Sacrifice comes from the spirit of Christianity. 

When one is not in touch with the Holy Spirit 
and God does not manifest Himself to the inner 
consciousness giving power for sacrifice, then to sac- 
rifice is a task hard to perform. 

Sacrifice brings joy when we are conscious of 
God's presence in our hearts. Sacrifice is a duty, 
is a necessity, a privilege in the Christian life. It 
sometimes requires suffering, privation, heartaches 
and briny tears. 



Nearness To God Is Beneficial 



85 



Jesus, the Christ, said, "And he that doth not take 
his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me." 
Matt. 10:38. 

In our day the spirit of sacrifice is not in evidence 
as it should be. However, many Christians are liv- 
ing lives full of sacrifice for God. 

For them there awaits a rich reward at the com- 
ing of their Lord. 

3. It Prepares Us to Suffer for Him. 

To willingly suffer for the Lord is an evidence 
indisputable of .loyalty to Him. Suffering for God 
tries and tests every element in our moral and spir- 
itual natures. It brings to light the best in Christian 
character. It shows clearly what a man is. It is a 
severe test. Christians are frequently called upon 
to suffer in body, in mind, in reputation for the 
cause of Christ. 

All good men are persecuted and must suffer. II 
Tim. 3:12; II Cor. 6:4-5; II Cor. 11:23-27; Acts 16: 
22-24. 

God will reward them for this suffering. Matt. 5: 
10-12. 

All suffering for God will be rewarded. Acts 7 : 
55-60; Rom. 8:18; II Cor. 4:17; II Tim. 4:6-8. 

Many eminent Christians, and many Christians in 
the lowly walks of life in days gone by sacrificed 
their lives for the cause of Christ. 

Their crown will«be the martyr's reward. Rev. 6: 
9-11; 7:9, 13-17. 

4. It Prepares Us To Enjoy Him. 

Often we meet men whose association at first we 
do not enjoy. 

When we become better acquainted with them 
we like them better. A thorough acquaintanceship 
begets love, and then the more we know them, the 



86 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



better we love them. It is that way with us in re- 
spect to our God. At first we are afraid of Him. 

When we become acquainted with Him through 
repentance, and faith, accepting Him as our per- 
sonal Savior, our Lord, our God, and then walking 
with Him as Enoch of old, and living daily in com- 
munion with Him, and maintaining spiritual touch 
with Him, we realize as did the Psalmist David that 
in His presence in fulness of joy. Psa. 16:11. 

5. It Helps Us To Love One Another. 

When we love one another we indicate evidence 
that we love God. In business vexations, in diffi- 
culties in social life, we become more or less ner- 
vous and are liable to misunderstand, misjudge and 
to feel unkindly toward one another. 

Nearness to God relieves these difficulties and 
helps us to love one another. It clears away mis- 
understanding, surmounts difficulties and helps us 
love our brother because God loves Him. Psa. 133: 
1-2. 

6. It Brightens Life. 

Without the love of God in our hearts and the 
help God gives along the pathway of life, this world 
would present but little for a thoughtful person to 
desire. Its vast wealth can clear away the dark- 
ness of no moral skies, can heal no broken hearts, 
can satisfy no longings of the immortal spirit, can 
give no hope of heaven, can furnish no comfort in 
death, can point to nothing joyous beyond the grave. 
To the man who stops and seriously thinks over 
the real situation, himself not a child of God, this 
life, presents a dreary wilderness with aching hearts, 
disappointed hopes, fearful forebodings, wounded 
and starving spirits, and deplorable uncertainty as 



Nearness To God Is Beneficial 



87 



to the future. Nearness to God relieves all these 
difficulties and brightens and sweetens life. 

It puts a silver lining around every cloud. It 
brightens every dark day. It clears away many mys- 
teries. 

It bridges death and affords a beautiful doorway 
into the home beyond. 

7. It Prepares Us for a Triumphant Death. 

The glory of Christianity specifically manifests 
itself in the dying scene of a child of God. If ra- 
tional when he dies, every Christian dies in triumph. 
The sting of death is gone by the impartation of 
dying grace. 

The dying saint is a hero, and a conqueror. With 
a halo of glory, and accompanied by angels he leaves 
this world and heaven opens to him, and he is joy- 
ously received into the home beyond, into the city 
of God. Luke 16:22; II Tim. 4:7-8; Acts 7:55-60. 



"But they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their 
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; 
they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, 
and not faint." Isa. 40:31. 

1EHOVAH is mighty in power, generous in favors, 



Man at best is weak. In the fortieth chapter of 
Isaiah we have the greatness of God, and man's 
weakness contrasted. 

j Jesus, the Christ, said to His disciples, "without 
me ye can do nothing." John 15:5. Paul, the Chris- 
tian, said, "I can do all things through Christ which 
strengthened me." Phil. 4:13. 

There never comes a time in the life of a Chris- 
tian when he does not need the help of God. 

I. CHRISTIANS NEED OFTEN TO RENEW THEIR 



The renewal of spiritual strength is an every day 
necessity. It matters not how much strength a 
Christian may have, he will have to use it all every 
day. 

1. Christians Often Exhaust Their Spiritual Strength 
in Meeting Temptations, Trials, Sorrows. 

There is no living human being who is not sub- 
ject to temptation. Every one is tried and tested 
every day. 

Every human heart sooner or later will have deep 
sorrow. 

In meeting and overcoming temptations, trials and 
sorrows the Christian's strength is often exhausted. 
God promises a renewal of this strength, and it is 
the Christian's privilege and duty to have his 
strength renewed day by day. 




perfect gift. 



SPIRITUAL STRENGTH. 



Benewal of Spiritual Strength 



89 



2. How the Christian's Strength is Renewed. 

Physical strength is acquired, and renewed by 
food and exercise. 

Take as example the sportsman and athlete. If 
a man would have a strong muscle, the power of 
endurance, a well developed body, he must exercise 
his physical organism and powers. Any member of 
the human body left without exercise dwindles away, 
and becomes useless. Exercise develops, strength- 
ens, and gives the power of great activity. Let us 
learn a lesson from this. 

This is, likewise, true from a spiritual point of 
view. If a Christian would be strong in the Lord, 
and in the power of His might, and able to resist 
the wiles of the Devil, he must exercise his spiritual 
powers in the daily conflicts of life. If he gives 
away to temptations and trials, and will not endure 
sorrow, there will be in him but little Christian 
manhood. 

To be sure, God says to the Christian, "Cast thy 
burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee," 
(Psa. 55:22) and to do this is the exercise of spir- 
itual power. This is profitable; it is strengthening, 
and the Christian gets a great blessing out of it. 

3. The Condition of the Renewal of Spiritual 

Strength. 

It is said by scholars that there are fourteen 
words in the Hebrew Scriptures that can be trans- 
lated by the expression, ''Wait upon the Lord." 
To be sure, these words have differences of signi- 
ficance. Here the word translated, "wait upon the 
Lord," or "wait for Jehovah," has the meaning of 
"tie on to the Lord." 

The idea is this: The Christian's strength is 
from the Lord. He then needs to be joined on to 



90 Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



the Lord, or tied on to Him. This is done through 
faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Faith 
is the connecting link between the Christian, and 
Jesus, the Christ, as his personal Savior. Here 
rests the condition of the new birth, the baptism oi s 
the Holy Spirit, regeneration, the spiritual union 
between God and His children. Jesus represented 
this wonderful truth under the illustration of the 
vine and the branches. John 15:1-5. 

He said to His disciples, "I am the vine, ye are 
the branches." This is the relation that the Chris- 
tian bears to his Savior. 

It is a well known fact that the same life prin- 
ciple that feeds, nourishes, supports the vine flows 
through the vine into the branches. The doctrine 
taught is this: The very same life principle that 
is in our Lord is imparted to us, and that it feeds, 
nourishes and strengthens us. Joined to Him, we 
are safe forever. 

II. SOME RESULTS OP RENEWED STRENGTH. 

Without constant renewal of spiritual strength, 
the Christian would become weak, indeed. His life 
work would become a failure. 

When he daily renews his strength he has great 
success. 

1. He Can Walk and Not Faint. 

In his weakness the Christian can do but little 
for the Lord. 

The slightest effort to Christian activity causes 
fainting. He is easily embarrassed, and is very 
timid. When he renews his strength in the Lord 
fainting, and embarrassment give away. The little 
irksome duties turn into pleasure and delight. 

2. He Can Run, and Not Be Weary. 

This results from living in constant touch with 
God. In this way, and by the constant exercise of 



Renewal of Spiritual Strength 



91 



the strength God gives him, he grows in grace, and 
becomes strong in the Lord and the power of His 
might. 

Religious activity becomes a great pleasure. He 
becomes a conqueror, and is able through Jesus 
Christ, his Lord, to overcome the wiles of, the Devil. 

He can do anything that God desires him to do. 
There is no task too difficult, no trial too severe, 
no sorrow too deep for him while in spiritual touch 
with his Lord. 

III. THE UPWARD FLIGHT OF THOSE WHO 
CONSTANTLY RENEW THEIR STRENGTH 
IS GREAT. 

This is evident from any angle one may view it. 
There is an easily seen difference between the suc- 
cess and joy of an active, faithful, prayerful, Bible 
reading Christian, and one who neglects his duties 
along these lines. 

1. Victory Over Temptations — Evil Habits. 

The helplessness of man, the seductiveness of 
temptation, and the strength of evil habits prevent 
one when acting alone from succeeding in the 'Chris- 
tian life. He must have help from on high. Jesus 
Christ, when formed in the human heart the hope 
of glory, strengthens those who love Him, and they 
through Him, can resist temptation, and overcome 
evil habits, and live a righteous, godly life. 

2. Victory Over Borrow — the Loss of Loved Ones. 
The heathen thought death ended all. There was 

nothing, he thought, beyond the grave. After death 
it was all darkness, and without a ray of light or 
hope of existence. Jesus, the Christ, "brought life, 
and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 
Tim. 1:10. 

To be sure, the Christian sorrows because of the 



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Sermoris— Practical, Devotional 



loss of loved ones by death, but not as those "who 
have no hope." I Thess. 4:13. Jesus wept at the 
grave of His friend. John 11:35. It is human to 
weep over sorrows, and it is not an indication of 
weakness. It is our privilege, and duty to weep with 
others in their sorrows. Rom. 12:15. 

To the Christian there is a bridge over the Jordan 
of death. There is a light that shines through its 
darkness. Jesus is the light. He is the way. He 
will take us across its turbulent waters, just as He 
has taken many of our loved ones safely home. 
Heaven has a healing balm for every sorrow of 
earth. With the comforts that Jesus, the Christ, 
sends in the person of the Holy Spirit those bereft 
are enabled to rejoice even in the midst of sorrow. 

I have seen the mother at the coffin of her child, 
when grace and spiritual strength came from on 
high, rejoice and exclaim: "I would not have her 
back in this world! I can go to her, and I shall 
soon meet her in glory." King David had the same 
comforting experience when his child was taken 
away from him. II Samuel 12:15-25. 
3. The Eagle's Flight — Mounting Up — Its Purpose — 

Its Lesson. 

The authors of natural history tell us that the 
eagle is sensitive, and that the slightest change in 
the atmosphere is readily detected by this noble 
bird. When a storm, cyclone or hurricane is coming 
the eagle knows it. He prepares himself for safety. 
This he does by rising in circuitous flight higher, 
higher and higher. At first you see a large bird, 
then he seems to be but a small bird. Higher yet 
he goes, and he seems only a speck in the air, and 
then he is gone beyond the sight of man. The storm 
comes and rages, and havoc is seen in all its paths. 
When it is over, leaving wreck and ruin, this noble 



Renewal of Spiritual Strength 



93 



bird is seen on its return flight. He comes and with 
a laughing eye views the wreck and ruin, but he 
himself is safe. 

The child of God may learn a lesson from the 
eagle. When temptations, trials, sorrows are ap- 
proaching let him draw near to his Lord and Savior. 
Let him come in close spiritual touch with God. Let 
his flight be upward. God will give him spiritual 
strength, and he can mount up as the eagle above 
danger and sorrow, and be safe in times of great- 
est peril. 

That the Christian will at last fly home to heaven 
is Biblical. Jesus Christ, our Lord, said, that when 
Lazarus, the poor man, lay dying at the rich man's 
gate the angels came and bore him to Abraham's 
bosom. How beautiful was the scene! The dogs 
came and licked the poor man's sores. The angels 
hovered over him. They watched him suffering, 
dying and gasping for breath. They gladly received 
his happy spirit as it left his suffering, dying body. 
With it they rose in beautiful flight to realms be- 
yond. 

Amid thronging crowds of angels and beatified 
spirits they rushed with Lazarus into the presence 
of God, and God exalted him to a position in Ab- 
raham's bosom, which meant to the Jew the height 
of felicity. 



mije Otyristktt's %xlt Mark $1*&U bt %xub 



"For other foundation can no man lay than that 
which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if any 
man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly 
stones, wood, hay, stubble: each man's work shall 
~be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, be- 
cause it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall 
prove each man's work of what sort it is. If any 
man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he 
shall receive a reward. 

"If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suf- 
fer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as 
through fire." I Cor. 3:11-15. 

^rf^HE Christian's life work is a building. Every 



I building must have a foundation. Our text 
clearly shows that Christ is the foundation upon 
which the Christian's building is erected. 

The security and permanency of a building de- 
pend upon the foundation upon which it is erected, 
and the character of the material out of which it 
is constructed. 

The foundation, however, is not responsible for 
the character of the material out of which the 
building is constructed that is erected upon it. 

Every Christian is building a building, whether 
he desires to do so or not, which shall be severely 
tried. 

The primary reference in this text of Scripture 
may have been to the preaching of doctrines true 
or false — the work of ministers of the Gospel in 
establishing churches and in doctoring the member- 
ship thereof, but the truth so forcibly presented 
in this Scripture is indisputably applicable to the 
life work of every Christian. 

The Christian's relationship to God is a personal 
matter. Every one is individually responsible to 




The Christian s Life Work Shall be Tried 95 



God for his life work. There is no possible shifting 
of this responsibility. Every man stands or falls 
for himself before God, the judge of all the earth. 

From our text we learn the following mentioned 
facts: 

I. THE CHRISTIAN BUILDS UPON CHRIST, THE 
FOUNDATION. 

Jesus Christ our Lord is the foundation upon 
which the superstructure of Christianity is built. 
Isa. 28:16; Acts 4:11-12; I Cor. 3:11-15. Every man 
who gets upon this foundation gets upon it in iden- 
tically the same way as every other one gets upon 
it. God has one way only of saving men. John 3: 
16-18, 36; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 16:31. 

Every one who is a Christian is upon this foun- 
dation. Every Christian is a builder. His life work 
means constant building. 

1. Some In Building Use Good Material — Incombus- 
tible. 

The figurative expression used here for good ma- 
terial is gold, silver, precious or costly stones. This 
kind of material is practically indestructible. Fire 
does not damage it. It only purifies it. Time does 
not destroy it. It stands forever. 

This figurative expression represents good works 
of Christian people. It represents sincerity, devo- 
tion, self-denial, earnest and zealous activity in 
Christian work. 

It represents a life that is not self-centered, but 
is spent for others. Doing good to others, relieving 
sorrow and suffering, helping the poor, leading men 
to accept Jesus the Christ as their personal Savior, 
building up and encouraging everything that is good, 
noble and true. By such active Christian work there 
is laid up "treasures in heaven where neither moth 
nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not 



96 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



break through nor steal." Matt. 6:20. 
2. Some In Building Used Bad Material — Combus- 
tible. 

The figurative expression used here for bad ma- 
terial is wood, hay, stubble. 

This kind of material is combustible. 

It is subject to conflagration and decay, and can 
not stand the crucial test to which every Christian's 
life work or building shall be subjected. 

It should be borne in mind that the builder or 
man referred to in this text of Scripture is a Chris- 
tian. He is upon the foundation which is Jesus 
Christ the Lord. He got upon this foundation by 
accepting Jesus the Christ as his personal savior. 
John 1:12; Acts 16:31. Rom. 10:9-10. He begins 
to build, but he uses much bad material. He is 
not as sincere as he should be. He does not live a 
devoted, consecrated Christian life. There is self- 
ishness in his life. 

In business he is not at all times strictly honest. 
He sometimes deviates from the truth. He encour- 
ages evil appetites that he should o\ercome. He 
perhaps holds envy, jealousy, prejudice and unkind 
feelings toward others. 

He resents an insult and is not ready to forgive 
it, even when the one who offered it asks for for- 
giveness. 

He frequently absents himself from the house of 
God, and often goes far into many wrong things. 
He is a child of God, but not obedient. He is way- 
ward, and does not bring honor upon his Christian 
profession. 

II. THE CHARACTER OF THE BUILDING OR 
WORK OP EVERY CHRISTIAN SHALL 
BE MADE MANIFEST. 
The time is coming when every man's work shall 



The Christian's Life Work Shall be Tried 97 



be made known. Matt. 10:26; Matt. 12:36. 
1. The Day Shall Reveal It — Declare It. 

The day here referred to is the judgment day — 
the judgment of the saints. This judgment will 
take place at the judgment seat of Christ. It will 
immediately follow the enactment of the first phase 
of the second coming of our Lord. Tlie light, the 
glorious searching, revealing light of God's day shall 
shine upon the work, the building of every Christian. 

Every defect shall be seen and every excellency 
shall be revealed. The darkness of this world cov- 
ers in large part both the defects and excellencies 
in every character. When God's wonderful light 
shines upon the building the defects will come out 
in their ugliness just as they are. The excellences 
will glow with beauty and grandeur. There shall 
be many disappointments on that occasion. Many 
lives in this world thought to be good will be found 
defective. Many lives overlooked by careless ob- 
servers shall shine out in glory and honor. 

I stand in the darkness before two paintings. My 
guide is deceiving me. He tells rne that the one at 
my left is a beautiful picture, that everywhere on 
it are the touches of the most talented artist. He 
says that it is complete in all its bearings, and pre- 
sents the most beautiful, attractive, artistic work- 
manship. 

The one at my right he tells me is incomplete, 
crude, and ugly beyond description. I believe him. 
I am in darkness. He is my guide. Subjectively 
to me there is beauty at my left and disgust at my 
right. I stand until the morning light appears. The 
golden rays of the sun light upon these paintings. I 
am disappointed. 

What I thought presented beauty, attractiveness, 
is full of deformity, crude and ugly. The painting 



98 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



whose real excellence I could not see in the dark- 
ness, having been deceived, now glitters, glistens 
and glows with artistic taste and beauty, indescrib- 
able. Such will be the revelations at the judgment 
seat of Christ. 

This judgment is a judgment of works for the 
granting of rewards and positions in the kingdom of 
heaven. Rom. 14:10-12; I Cor. 3:8-15; II Cor. 5:10; 
Rev. 22:12; Luke 22:29-30; II Tim. 2:12; Ex. 19:6; 
I Peter 2:5-9; Rev. 1:6; I Cor. 4:5; Rom. 2:6. 
2. The Fire Shall Try It. 

Fire is a great purifier. Nothing combustible can 
stand its tests. Every Christian's work, life build- 
ing, shall be tested by fire. The test will be severe. 

Every defective element, all dross, all combustible 
material shall be burned up. Only the good shall 
stand the test. The fire will make the good shine 
brighter, more glorious, but the bad shall go up in 
smoke, and down in ashes. 

There is many a Christian's life that is not well 
understood. We see the outward, God sees the in- 
ward. I Sam. 16:7. Many a life seems rough, un- 
couth, defective, not right. There are many lives 
in which we see but few defects. Fire shall burn 
the dross and make beautiful and bright the real, 
genuine excellences, gold, silver and costly stones. 

III. SOME RESULTS OF THE TRIAL OF THE 
CHRISTIAN'S LIFE WORK. 

In this life we are deeply interested in the re- 
sults of important trials to which our attention may 
be directed. 

Results mean a great deal to us. 

We can not adequately describe the importance 
and consuming interest in the results of the testing 
of Christian life work at the judgment seat of Christ. 



The Christian's Life Work Shall be Tried 99 



1. The Bad Shall Be Burned Up. 

The Christian's works follow him as he passes 
into the beyond. Rev. 14:13. . 

In our imagination directed by the teaching upon 
this subject in the word of God we may picture the 
C hristian whose life work, whose building is of 
wood, hay and stubble, coming before the judgment 
Leat of Christ. 

He brings his works with him. 

The light of God's day is turned upon his build- 
ing. Its defects begin to show themselves. Its de- 
formities appear. It at once becomes evident that 
the building is of wood, hay and stubble. The lire 
is turned upon it. 

The flames wrap around it. It can not stand the 
test of fire. 

1. The Builder Shall Suffer Loss. 

His life work is burned up. 

His building is consumed. His basis of reward is 
gone. Works are the basis of reward. II Cor. 5: 
10; II Cor. 9:6; I Cor. 9:24-27; I Cor. 4:5; Mark 
10:29-31; Rom. 2:6. 

One morning I stood and watched a magnificent 
building while it was being consumed by fire. It 
was a sad, sad sight. In this beautiful building was 
the result of a life of hard and earnest toil. Its 
burning meant the loss of the results of business 
ingenuity, anxiety, economy. It meant many heart- 
aches, and possibly the shedding of tears. 

The mighty flames wrapt the building. 

The material out of which it was constructed was 
combustible. The building went up in smoke and 
down in ashes. 

The builder stood by with a sad and aching heart, 
and witnessed the loss of his life's work. He lived 
on, but the result of his hard and earnest tell /as 



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gone. So shall it be with many at the judgment 
seat of Christ. 

2. The Builder Shall Be Saved, Yet So As Through 
Fire. 

The builder shall be saved because Christ Jesus 
his Lord saves him. By faith he had gotten upon 
the foundation which is Jesus Christ. I Cor. 3:11. 

This foundation is sure and never fails. The un- 
fortunate builder had built of wood, hay, stubble. 
He enters heaven, but he barely gets there. The 
gate is open only wide enough for him to get in. 
He gets no reward. His life work has been burned 
up and there is for him no basis for a reward in 
heaven. 

We must bear in mind that there is a difference 
between salvation and rewards in heaven. Salva- 
tion is of grace, the free gift of God. Reward is 
God's recompense for acceptable service. The man 
barely getting to heaven has no reward, but is 
saved so as through fire. 

2. The Good Shall Stand the Test, and Abide For- 
ever. 

There is practically no destruction to gold, silver 
and costly stones. The results of light and trial by 
fire only clear away the dross and make them shine 
more beautifully and with a brighter luster. There 
is no destruction to the life work of a faithful, self- 
sacrificing, conscientious Christian. 

(1) The Building Shall Stand the Test— His Life 
Work Shall Be Saved. — This building is of gold, sil- 
ver and costly stones. It also shall be tried by fire. 
The fire and the light of God's day shall only bright- 
en, and make more glorious the perfection and ex- 
cellence of this noble structure. 

(2) The Builder Shall Be Saved— The builder is 
saved because he is upon the right foundation. 



The Christian } s Life Work Shall be Tried 101 



Christ Jesus our Lord saves him. In addition to 
this he is rewarded. The heavenly gate is opened 
wide to him. An abundant entrance is ministered 
unto him. II Peter 1:11. 

The Christian's life work that stands the test of 
fire and the light of God's day is the basis of his 
reward in heaven. He takes his work into the glory 
world with him. A beautiful crown is placed upon 
his brow. His crown is decorated with stars that 
outshine the brightness of the sun. I Cor. 9:25; 
Phil. 4:1; I Thes. 2:19; II Tim. 4:8; Dan. 12:3. 



$tm$ f tfye (Efyrist, far lis 



"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give 
you another comforter, that he may be with you 
forever." John 14:16. 



W if guage of my text His disciples were sad 
hearted, and discouraged. They needed His assur- 
ances to bridge the difficulties they were just then 
encountering. He had been with them as their be- 
loved teacher three years. They had learned to love 
Him with unlimited devotion. They had the utter- 
most faith in Him. 

Now He was going to leave them, was to be per- 
secuted, tried, convicted, yet without sin or guilt 
was to be condemned and put to death. His body 
was to be buried, and He was to rise from the dead, 
and ascend back to His Father in heaven. 

They did not understand these things, so He 
taught them gently, lovingly, knowing full well the 
deep sorrow of their hearts. 

He took them into His confidence, and taught 
them wonderful spiritual truths, soul inspiring and 
assuring. 

In the comforting language of my text there are 
three promises: 

I. JESUS, THE CHRIST, WOULD PRAY THE 



In this time of deep distress this promise was full 
of comfort to them. They felt that they needed His 
prayers, His help, His encouragement. 
1. Jesus Had Said That His Father Always Hears 



Jesus gave expression to this precious truth at 
the grave of His friend Lazarus. John 11:41-42. 
His Father heard Him in the presence of the liv- 




JESUS, THE CHRIST, uttered the lan- 



FATHER FOR THEM. 



Him. 



Jesus, the Christ, Prays for Us 



103 



ing, and at the grave of the dead. To hear, with 
the Father, is virtually to answer, and when it is 
said that God, the Father, hears, it means that He 
answers the prayer. Jesus said, "Father, I thank 
thee that thou heardest me." "And I know that 
thou hearest me always." John 11:41-42. He knew 
He had His Father's approbation. He knew His 
Father would not desert Him in that critical mo- 
ment. 

He said in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." 
The miracle was performed. The dead was alive. 
Lazarus was among the living, again on the earth. 

There can be no real questioning of the fact that 
God, the Father, has always heard His Son, and 
that He will always hear Him. 

What He asks for us will be done for us. We 
have a great heritage in the prayers of Jesus Christ 
our Lord. 

2. He Prays for His Disciples, Personally, As He 
Did for Peter. 

Jesus Christ knew every one of His disciples 
by name, and He knows by name every one who 
loves Him today, and is trying to do His will. He 
also prays to His Father now for those who love 
Him. He calls them by name. He talks to His 
Father about them. He knows their weaknesses, 
and He never forgets them. Psa. 103:13-14; John 
17:15. 

Jesus Christ warned Peter, personally, of the 
trial through which he was to pass. Peter was 
a bold, impetuous man. John 18:10. He was the 
spokesman of the Apostles. He was ready always 
to give his opinion, to speak out his sentiment. 
Sometimes he was rash, and expresed himself too 
quickly, and without proper consideration. John 



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13:36-38. He was a star figure among the Apos- 
tles. His Satanic Majesty, the Devil, knew Peter's 
faults, knew his weaknesses, knew his prominence, 
his popularity, his influence. He desired to take ad- 
vantage of Peter. He watched every opportunity. 
He determined, and planned Peter's downfall. He 
knew he could not pluck Peter out of the hands of 
God, but he thought by taking advantage of some 
weakness of Peter, he could damage his influence, 
and thereby bring reflections upon his character 
as a man of God. In this way he thought he could 
harm the cause of Christ. He thought he could 
make Peter a stumbling block in the way of the 
salvation of some one. Jesus, the Christ, knew this, 
and He had observed what the devil was planning 
to do in reference to Peter. Jesus loved Peter. 
He prayed to His Father for him, that in the strug- 
gle Peter was to have with the Devil that his faith 
should not fail. One day He told Peter about this 
matter. He said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan 
asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: 
but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail 
not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, 
establishd thy brethren." Luke 22:31-32. 

Satan did get Peter into his sifter. He caused 
Peter's courage to give away in a critical moment. 

He caused Peter to deny his Lord. 

It was a severe trial to Peter. 

His courage failed him, but according to the 
words of our Lord, Peter's faith did not fail him. 

Indeed, it was a wonderful test, a bitter trial to 
him. It taught him a great lesson which he never 
forgot. Luke 22:56-62. 

The loving Jesus, his Lord, reminded him of his 
mistake. 

He wept bitterly, and sought and obtained for- 



Jesus, the Christ, Prays for Us 



105 



giveness. After this lesson, Peter was a different 
man in many respects to what he was before. He 
was humble, quiet, docile. His bold impetuous 
spirit was conquered, and unwarranted self-confi- 
dence was gone.- He was willing to make any kind 
of sacrifice, or do anything his Lord wanted of him. 

Let us learn a lesson from Peter's mistake. We 
should be sure of the fact that Satan is watching 
us. He is endeavoring to take advantage of some 
one of our weaknesses. He desires to get us into 
his sifter. 

He is not expecting to snatch us out of the hands 
of our God (John 10:27-29), but he may ruin our 
influence for God and the cause of Christ. 

We should remember the fact that we shall be 
tempted and tried every day. 

It is a comforting thought that Jesus knows all 
about us, and already He has prayed for us, and 
that He calls our names to His Father in His pray- 
ers. He loves us, and sympathizes for us. Psa. 
103:13-14; I John 2:1. 

3. He Has Prayed for All Who Shall Believe on 
Him Even to the End of This World. 

Only a short while before Jesus was betrayed 
into the hands of His enemies He uttered these 
words in that memorable prayer to His Father, 
"Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also 
that believe on me through their word." John 
17:20. This prayer includes every believer from 
that night to the end of this world, and it is, and 
shall be efficacious in his behalf. 

It is a great comfort for me to know that while 
I am tempest-tossed and tried amidst sorrows, ills 
and cares, heart-aches and severe temptation, that 
Jesus, my loving Savior, knows all about me, that 
He sympathizes for me, and that already He has 



106 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



prayed for me that my faith fail not. Luke 23:31- 
32; John 17:15. This fact inspires hope, gives cour- 
age, and brightens my prospects for a successful 
and happy Christian life, and urges me on in con- 
fidence to the city of God beyond the realms of 
death. 

II. THAT THE FATHER WOULD SEND THEM 
ANOTHER COMFORTER. 

While Jesus, the Son of God, was in the flesh, and 
living among men, His presence and activities were 
necessarily to a great extent limited from a local 
point of view. It was His purpose that His gospel 
should be preached throughout the worlds and that 
His presence and power should be felt, and known 
everywhere by the work, and revelations and sacti- 
fying influence of the Holy Spirit. He told His dis- 
ciples that He would not leave them desolate. John 
14:18. He also said, "It is expedient for you that I 
go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will 
not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto 
you." John 16:7; John 15:26. 

Jesus told them of much of the work the Holy 
Spirit was to do. John 16:8-15:26; 14:17, 26. 

1. The Holy Spirit Did Come As Promised. 

On the day of Pentecost, as Jesus had promised, 
the Holy Spirit came in great power. Acts 2:33. 

The story of His Pentecostal coming is a beautiful 
story, full of instruction, productive of hope, cour- 
age, devotion, inspiration, self-sacrifice, consecration. 

2. He Is Here Now. 

To the fact of the presence of the Holy Spirit 
among the people of God many millions of Chris- 
tians can testify today. He is the living presence, 
the comforting, strengthening influence in the human 
heart given to God. The Christian is conscious now 



Jesus, the Christ, Prays for Us 



107 



of this living, wonderful personality in his heart and 
life. 

3. The Spirit Is Now Doing the Work He Came 
To Do. 

The Holy Spirit is guiding the children of God to- 
day, and leading them from victory to victory. 

This age is supremely the age, or dispensation of 
the Holy Spirit. 

He is convicting men of sin, leading them to ac- 
cept Christ as their personal Savior, helping Chris- 
tians in their struggles to live as God would 
have them live, lightening their burdens, healing 
their wounded spirits, relieving their sorrows, sweet- 
ening their joys in the religion of their Lord and Sa- 
vior Jesus Christ. 

III. THAT THIS COMFORTER WOULD REMAIN 
WITH THEM FOREVER. 
The Holy Spirit is a desirable, helpful and worthy 
friend, and when He takes up His abode in the 
heart the Christian desires Him to remain there 
forever. 

1. He Is the Constant Companion of Christians. 

That the Holy Spirit might remain forever with 
His disciples was the prayer of Jesus, the Christ, to 
His Father. There was never to be a day, not one 
moment when He was to be away from them. He 
is the ever-present living companion who brightens 
the gloomy days, and scatters the dark clouds that 
sometimes come to God's children in this world. 

2. His Presence and Companionship Is Permanent. 
Take this text of Scripture, John 14:16, and study 

it from any angle you may, and the inevitable con- 
clusion is that this wonderful relationship is per- 
manent. John 14:23; Psa. 91:1; Heb. 13:5. The 
Christian knows upon whom, and upon what to de- 
pend. II Tim. 1:12; Rom. 8:35-39. 



108 Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



3. This Permanency Gives Satisfaction and Assur- 
ance. 

The fact that the Holy Spirit will abide with us 
forever gives consolation to the child of God. 

He feels safe and secure. How unlike earthly 
friends is the Holy Spirit. 

They may come -to us when we are in trouble, but 
be pressed with business cares and have to leave us. 

Sometimes they grow tired of us, or prove false 
to us and leave us. Many of our friends die and 
leave us. There are many old people who are left 
almost alone as to relatives or old friends, and who 
have more friends and relatives in heaven than on 
earth. The* Holy Spirit will never leave those into 
whose hearts He has come. He is theirs forever. 



fflt #fimtlib p0 ($\xx %tsi far (iob's (Eause 



"But Peter said, silver and gold have I none: but 
what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus 
Christ of Nazareth, walk." Acts 3:6. 




OD'S CAUSE is worthy of our best efforts. 
God never requires us to give what we can 



not give. He never requires us to do what we can 
not do. It is our best that He desires. 

There is no one so helpless, so poor, that he can 
do nothing to advance the cause of God. 

Golden opportunities are about us. They are al- 
ways within our reach. They are often even at 
our door. There are broken hearts to heal. There 
are sad, troubled hearts to comfort. If we will to 
do so, we can do some good every day. 

The Apostles of our Lord were not men of wealth. 
They were poor in this world's goods. However, 
they were rich toward God. 

One day when Peter and John were going into 
the temple, a beggar asked alms of them. They 
were without money, but their hearts ran out to 
the man and they desired to do him good. They 
made the effort that resulted in much good to him. 
We may draw some practical lessons from what 
Peter and John did and said on this occasion. 
I. SUCH AS WE HAVE WE SHOULD GIVE TO 
THE LORD'S CAUSE. 

There are many who would be glad to do great 
things for God if they thought they could do such 
things. 

They would be willing to found and endow a col- 
lege, build a hospital, asylum for the insane, or a 
great church building if they were financially able. 
They would gladly send a missionary to the foreign 



110 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



field and support him there if they were able to do 
so. But to do little things they think is beneath 
their dignity, and they decline to do anything. 

But few can do great things, while many can do 
little things. 

The fact is, however, that there are no little 
things in God's service. All we are called upon 
to do for God is precious in His sight. We should 
do what we can do, and we should give what we 
can give to the cause of God. 

1. Silver and Gold If We Have It. 

The silver and the gold, the riches of the land 
and the sea belong to God. It is all His own. 

We are the stewards of His wealth. 

He demands of us that we give back to Him a 
part of what He has entrusted to us. He can use 
silver and gold to advance His cause in this world. 
His sanctifying power can transform its use from 
the secular to the sacred, make it a blessing to 
needy, fallen and * benighted human beings and 
thereby get out of it glory to His name. If we have 
money we should gladly give back to God what He 
demands of us. 

2. Talents Small and Great. 

It is not the intrinsic value of the talent itself 
that makes it so useful, but it is the consecration 
to God. No talent is, in fact, worth much that is 
not consecrated to God. 

God can take the smallest talents when they are 
consecrated to Him and get out of them much 
honor and glory to His name. 

Whatever talents we have, however great or 
small, we should use in the service of our God. 
There are some who say if they could preach able 
and eloquent sermons, pray beautiful prayers, and 
deliver elegant addresses they would delight in 



We Should Do Our Best for God's Cause 111 



using their talents in these directions. They say 
they cannot do these things and that they are un- 
willing to try to do anything for the church. 

It is a fact that all have not the same gifts. God 
does not demand, nor expect the same things of all 
individuals. However, He does expect every one 
to do his whole duty. Rom. 12; 6; I Cor. 7:7; 12:4; 
I Peter 4:10; Rom. 12:3. 

God often takes "the weak things of the world," 
to put to shame the things that are strong." I 
Cor. 1:26-29. Out of weakness He brings strength. 
The smallest talent when devoted to Him is a great 
thing in His hands. 

It can be used by Him in the accomplishment oi 
great purposes. 

Some men high in service, deep in spirituality, 
noble in Christian character, are not learned in the 
wisdom of this world. God is using them and 
crowning their efforts in His service with glorious 
success. 

3. A consecrated life — Good Words — Good Deeds. 

Whether rich or poor, learned or unlearned, it 
is the privilege and duty of every one to live a 
consecrated, devoted Christian life. It does not re- 
quire money, learning nor great talents to live a 
Christian life. 

It requires heart, love, devotion. 

Good words and good deeds alike honor God. 
There are always near us some whose hearts are 
sore, bleeding, and torn. There are some about us 
who are ill, sad, helpless. Kind words and helpful 
deeds glorify God in relieving suffering and sorrow. 

A consecrated Christian life is a mighty power in 
the hands of God in the accomplishment of His 
purposes in this world. 



112 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



II. NEITHER PETER NOR JOHN HAD SILVER 
NOR GOLD. 

Silver and gold are Important in their places. 
They are helpful in relieving embarrassments and 
bringing conveniences in their rightful use. They 
are not, however, by any means, the most impor- 
tant things we may have in this life. 

Peter and John were great men and did a great 
work for the cause of God. No millionaire has ever 
surpassed the good they did. 

1. They Had Left Ail To Follow Christ. 
Peter and John were fishermen. 

This business was their means of support for 
themselves and their families. One day when 
Jesus, the Christ, was walking by the sea of Galilee 
He saw Peter and Andrew, his brother, casting 
their nets, and He said to them, "Come ye after 
me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matt. 
4:19. 

He also called to Himself the two sons of Ze- 
bedee, James and John, and they "left their boat 
and their father and followed Him." Matt. 4:21-22. 

After they had followed their Lord and had done 
His bidding for a long time, Peter said to Him, "Lo, 
we have left all, and have followed thee." Mark 
10:28-30. Luke 18:28-30. Jesus showed him clearly 
that there was a great reward for those who faith- 
fully followed Him. Matt. 19:27-29. 

There is no real loss in the service of God, but 
great gain. Matt. 10:39; 16:25-26; Mark 8:35. 

2. They Had Something Better Than Silver and 
Gold. 

There is something better for the teeming mil- 
lions of this earth than silver and gold. I Tim. 
4:8. From the conduct of most men it is evident 
they are ignorant of this important fact. 



We Should Bo Our Best for GocVs Cause 



113 



They strive, toil, sacrifice, wear out their bodies, 
shorten their natural lives, entangle themselves in 
business vexations and anxieties in search of silver 
and gold. Many of them set aside justice, honesty, 
integrity and every moral and righteous principle, 
and are willing to oppress, defraud and swindle to 
erect a god of gold and bow down before it and 
claim it as their own. This is the conduct of thou- 
sands of men in this Christian country of ours who 
do not realize the fact that they have gone this far. 

Silver and gold can not heal broken hearts. They 
can not allay the sufferings of wounded spirits. 
They can not satisfy the longing of the immortal 
spirit. They can buy no entrance into the heaven- 
ly portals. They can not buy peace with God, nor 
preparation for the solemn realities of eternity. 

Something better than silver and gold is what 
Peter and John had. They had in them eternal 
life. They had accepted Jesus, the Christ, as their 
personal Savior. 

They had committed all their interests for time 
and eternity into His hands. They had the Holy 
Spirit. He was their leader, their guide. They were 
conscious of the presence of God in their hearts. 

This is better than silver and gold; 

They had kind, helpful, cheerful words seasoned 
with the grace of God. They had great love for 
their fellowman. They had spiritual power. They 
had power and privilege to work in the name of 
Jesus, the Christ. God gave them power in the 
name of Jesus to heal the afflicted. They healed 
the crippled beggar, who rose up, walked, leaped 
and praised God. Acts 3:7-9. To the beggar this 
was better than silver or gold. 

The purpose of every Christian should be to do 
good, help his fellowman, and honor God. 



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Sermon s — Practical, Devotion a I 



"Somebody did a golden deed, 
Proving himself a friend in need; 
Somebody sang a cheerful song, 
Brightening the skies the whole day long, — 
Was that somebody you? 

"Somebody made a loving gift, 
Cheerfully tried a load to lift; 
Somebody told the love of Christ, 
Told how His will was sacrificed, — 
Was that somebody you? 

"Somebody filled the days with light, 
Constantly chased away the night; 
Somebody's work bore joy and peace, 
Surely his life shall never cease. — 
Was that somebody you?" 

III. THE WEALTH IN THE NAME OP JESUS. 

We can not overestimate the blessings that come 
to us through Jesus Christ our Lord, the great 
wealth we have in His name. Eph. 1:3-7; Phil. 
4:19. The riches God's children have in the name 
of Jesus, the Christ, are incomprehensible. Their 
depth, their height, their glory can not be meas- 
ured. We have space to mention only a few ele- 
ments of this, wealth. 

1. To the Apostles' Power to Heal. 

The power to heal was not the only element of 
wealth in the name of Jesus the Apostles had, nor 
was this the most important element in His name 
that they possessed. They exercised the power to 
heal afflicted bodies on several occasions. They 
did this to relieve suffering and to glorify God. In 
some instances they had power in the name of 
Jesus, the Christ, over evil spirits. Luke 10:17-20. 

They were careful, however, never to use their 
God-given power for their own glory. 



We /Should Do Oar Best for GocVs Cause 115 



They bent every energy, every effort, every power 
they- had to the glory of God. 

In endeavoring to learn our God-given mission to 
this world we should learn important lessons from 
the Apostles, their conduct, their teachings and 
from others who under the inspiration of the Holy 
Spirit wrote for record in the Bible the will of God 
concerning us. We must, also, remember in search- 
ing to know our God-appointed duty and life work 
that Jesus the Christ is the greatest teacher this 
world has ever had. Matt. 7:28-29. Under inspi- 
ration Biblical writers gave us the most helpful in- 
struction. Luke 10:27-28; Mark 12:30-31; Psa. 37:5; 
Gal. 6:2; I Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:16-17; I Peter 4:11; 
James 5:16; John 13:34; Gal. 6:10; Duet. 10:12-13; 
Micah 6:8; I Cor. 9:22. 
2. Power to Overcome Enemies. 

An enemy is an antagonist often hard to over- 
come. All Christians have three great foes, the 
world (James 4:4), the flesh (Gal. 5:17), and the 
Devil (Eph. 6:11-12). Jesus put these foes to flight 
when He was tempted of the Devil in the wilder- 
ness — the flesh (Matt. 4:2-4), the world (Matt. 4: 
5-7), the Devil (Matt. 4:8-11). 

When we endeavor to overcome our foes we 
should follow the example of Jesus Christ our 
Lord. We should keep in our hearts and in our 
memories the word of God, and use it in the midst 
of temptation. Psa. 119:11; John 14:21; Matt. 4: 
1-11. 

The Bible plainly tells us how to overcome our 
enemies. Rom. 12:20-21.; Matt. 5:44; Acts 7:60. 
Having to come in contact with Satan the arch 
enemy of our spirts we should "put on the whole 
armor of God." Eph. 6:1-13. 

God has provided for us a means of victory over 



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Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



the world, (I John 5:4), the flesh (Gal. 2:20; 5:24; 
Rom. 6:6; 7-24) and the Devil, (Eph. 6:11-13), and 
Jesus, the Christ, will lead us in triumph home to 
God. Rom. 8:37, 

Death is the last enemy and that shall be abol- 
ished. I Cor. 15:26; 15:55. 

3. The Privilege and Power of Getting Home to 
Heaven. 

God's children are pilgrims here in this world. 
They are strangers and sojourners. They are seek- 
ing a home beyond the surging river of death. 

They are seeking the better country, the city of 
God. Their faces are heavenward. They are run- 
ning the race se t before them. Their eyes are 
upon Jesus Christ, their Lord, and their hearts are 
longing for the heavenly city. I Chron. 29:15; Psa. 
39:12; 119:19; Heb. 11:13; 11:10; 11:16; Heb. 
12:1-2. He who is their Lord and their God will 
lead them, help them, and through His grace and 
power, the wealth in His name, take them to Him- 
self that they may be with Him forever. Isa. 51:11* 



(Ealdt 'a $m*vh i*x ^x$\}i gibing 

"As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the 
day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, 
even so is my strength now, for war, and to go 
out and come in." Joshua 14:11. 

HE most profitable service possible to render 
is service to God which is acceptable to Him. 
God never fails to reward those who do His will. 

Service, whether it be in great or small things, 
when rendered to God in sincerity, is always re- 
warded. 

Caleb, who uttered the language of my text, was 
a great man. He was brave, honest, sincere, mod- 
est, cheerful, decided and full of hope and cour- 
age. He had faith in God. 

He believed that God would help him in all the 
walks of life. He was ready to do the will of God 
at any time, and under all circumstances. Fear of 
man was a stranger to him. In the Providence of 
God the time had come for Caleb to receive his 
earthly reward. 

I. CALEB DESIRED HIS RIGHTFUL POSSESSION. 

Not because of his own faults, but because of 
the wrongs of others, Caleb was without his rightful 
possession for many years. He had waited patiently 
and now the time had come, and he was anxious to 
enter into the realization of his long sought prize. 
1. This Possession Had Been Promised to Caleb. 

Forty-five years before Caleb uttered the lan- 
guage of this text, Moses had promised him, and 
with an oath that the land upon which his foot 
had trodden should belong to him and his children 
forever. It was the Hill country including Hebron, 
and Caleb was anxious for his promised possession. 




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He had confidence in Moses. He believed in God. 
He believed that Moses was under Divine appoint- 
ment, and that the promise made him would be 
fulfilled. 

2. He Was Able Physically to Take it By War. 

Caleb was now old in years, but vigorous in body 
and mind. 

He was forty years of age when he was sent to- 
gether with others to espy the country. He was 
then a brave and courageous man. 

He brought back a good report. 

Ten other men, who went with him, brought back 
an unfavorable report. This greatly displeased God, 
and it displeased Moses. 

Because of the unfaithfulness, and cowardice of 
the ten spies causing them to make an unfavorable 
report of the country, God determined that none of 
them nor any of those whose hearts faileu them 
on hearing such report should enter the promised 
land. 

Only Joshua and Caleb, who honored God by mak- 
ing favorable reports, were permitted, and that 
after forty-five years, to enter the land of promise. 
During these forty-five years God was with these 
two men. He preserved them in body and in mind. 
Caleb declared that Jehovah had kept him alive for 
forty and five years since that promise was made 
to him. 

He also said, "As yet I am as strong this day as 
I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength 
was then even so is my strength now, for war, and 
to go out and to come in. Joshua 14:11. 

3. He Had the Necessary Courage To Take It. 
A man may have a justifiable cause for war. He 

may be able physically to go to war. If he is lack- 
ing in courage he is not a good soldier. Not only 



Caleb's Reward for Right Living 



119 



did Caleb have a good reason to defend his rights 
that Jehovah had given him, but he was able for 
battle, and he had the courage to defend his rights. 
He was ready and anxious to take possession of 
what Jehovah his God had given him. 

III. WHY THE LORD THROUGH MOSES MADE 
THIS PROMISE TO CALEB. 

Jehovah never does anything arbitrarily. He al- 
ways has a reason for what He does. His actions 
are unimpeachable. He had a reason for promising 
Caleb a possession in the land of promise. 

1. He Espied the Country Well When Moses Sent 
Him Out. 

Caleb was the character of man who always does 
his duty. If only he knows what is justly expected 
of him, he will do it. He never falters. He never 
gives up. To do his level best is a matter of prin- 
ciple with him. When Moses sent him with others 
to espy the country, he did his duty. To be sure, 
he found difficulties to overcome. He was not 
thinking that it would be an easy task to conquer 
and drive out the enemies from the land which God 
had given to His people. 

He knew it would take sacrifices, the shedding of 
blood, determined effort, . and courageous action to 
accomplish what God had given them to do. He 
espied the country patiently, faithfully, intelligently. 
What he found he reported. He was delighted be- 
yond measure with the discoveries he made. His 
faith was in Jehovah that He would give victory to 
His people. He never wavered from this reasonable 
conclusion. 

What he did he did well, and Jehovah approved 
the course he pursued. 



120 



Sermons — Practical, Devotion a I 



2. He Brought Back a True Report. 

Jehovah hates falsehood. He loves the truth. 
Falsehood dishonors Him, and lowers the dignity of 
true character. It required courage, fortitude, and 
the noblest principles of godly manhood for Caleb 
and Joshua to bring back a true report, when ten 
men out of twelve reported falsely, and advised 
against the plan of Jehovah. 

Notwithstanding the fact that Caleb knew, that if 
he made a true report, that he would be persecuted, 
regarded as unsound, and as unsafe to follow, and 
that most of his friends would turn against him, yet 
he was true to his convictions and gave a true re- 
port. Rather than degrade himself and displease 
Jehovah, he would act the part of a hero displeasing 
his friends and honoring his God. 

He did not hesitate a moment. 

He reported just what he saw, and heard, and his 
convictions as to what could be done, God being 
their helper. He met with opposition, but God ap- 
proved his course, and rewarded his devotion, and 
the nobleness of his character will be honored as 
the Word of God is read until the end of time. 

3. Caleb Wholly Followed Jehovah. 

Moses himself declared hat Caleb had wholly fol- 
lowed Jehovah. Joshua 14:9. Caleb also says of 
himself, "But I wholly followed Jehovah my God." 
Joshua 14:8. 

Caleb did not speak unkindly of those who went 
with him to espy the land of promise, but he called 
them his "brethren." Joshua 14:8. 

To be sure, he did not approve the false report 
they made, the cowardice they exhibited, but deep 
down in his heart he loved them, and pitied them, 
and doubtless prayed for them. Their influence did 
not cause him to deviate from the pathway of rec- 



Caleb's Beward for Bight Living 



121 



titude, but seeing their weakness he took courage, 
and wholly followed Jehovah his God. No greater 
compliment can be paid to any man in this world 
than to say that "He wholly follows Jehovah his 
God." 

III. WE LEARN SOME IMPORTANT, LESSONS 
FROM CALEB'S LIFE. 
Caleb's life and character are in the midst of such 
beautiful settings, that one would be dull indeed 
who could not learn many important lessons from 
the life of such a man. 

1. We Should Do the Work Well That God Gives 
Us To Do. 

There should be no half-heartedness in doing the 
work God gives us to do. Everything He gives us 
to ' do for Him is important, and should have our 
most careful attention, and earnest efforts to accom- 
plish. There are no little things in His sight, and 
faithfulness in doing what we regard as little things 
for Him is just as precious with Him as is our de- 
votion in accomplishing what we regard as great 
things for Him. It is our duty to be faithful in the 
smallest duties in life. We should always do our 
level best. 

When we shall have done what to us seems to 
be little things for God, occupied a small sphere in 
life, we shall become competent to do greater things, 
and to fill a larger sphere, and to enter into greater 
joys as a result of the development of true Chris- 
tian character in working for God. 

The way to reach the top is to begin at the bot- 
tom and climb up round by round until we shall 
reach the top. In the transaction of business for 
others, but few are given high positions at first. 
Almost all begin at the bottom, and as devotion to 
duty and faithfulness in the accomplishment of tasks 



122 



Sermoms — Practice* I, Devotional 



merit elevation, round by round the top is reached. 

Jesus, the Christ, said, "And he that humbleth 
himself shall be exhalted." Luke 14:11. 

Caleb learned this lesson early in life, and lived 
up to it. God exhalted him. 

2. Righteousness Advantages Both Spirit and Body. 

At the age of eighty-five years Caleb was a health- 
ful, robust man. His eyes were not dim. He was 
as full of mental and physical vigor as he was at 
the age of forty years. God had cared for him, had 
kept him alive, and had given him mental and phy- 
sical vigor. He had not departed from God's law 
of right living. He had not dissipated physically or 
mentally. 

He had observed God's laws of health. His life 
was a correct, upright, moral, godly life. Righteous 
living brings great rewards. Old in years, but young 
in aspiration and bodily and mental strength Caleb 
looked out upon life as worth living. Sin degrades, 
depraves, wrecks and ruins both body and spirit. 
The most unwise thing a man can do is to sin 
against God. In sinning against God, he sins against 
himself, against his body, against his spirit. A hap- 
py, joyous, useful, honored old age .never comes by 
dissipation in sinful practices. It comes by righteous 
living. If a man cares for a happy, useful old age, 
a healthful, robust, vigorous body, and strong mind, 
let him live a righteous life and God will reward 
him. 

3. Victory Comes To Those Who Wholly Follow the 
Lord. 

It has always been so, and it will always be so, 
that victory results from the exercise of righteous 
principles. The man whose heart is right before 
God, whose purposes are right, and whose every ef- 
fort is to honor God, will triumph in victory, and 



Caleb's Reward for Right Living 



123 



reach the height of his ambition tempered by the 
grace of God. Out before you is the glory of ser- 
vice, the dignity of well developed Christian char- 
acter, the blessedness of a glorious immortality, 
heaven with all that it means, all to be realized by 
wholly following the Lord. 



Christian (Etftttorsatixm 



''Then they that feared the Lord spake often one 
to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it; 
and a book of remembrance was written before Him 
for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon 
His name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord 
of hosts; in that day when I make up my jewels." 
A. V. Malachi 3:16-17. 

CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION is always blest of 
God. It is a means of grace to warm the 
hearts of His people, and to draw them near to Him. 
Ever since God has had a people in this world, there 
have been with them seasons of coldness, lukewarm- 
ness, and there have been seasons of refreshment 
and joy for them from the presence of the Lord.. 
In the days of the prophet Malachi there was a sea- 
son of coldness of religious fervor and devotion. The 
people were outside of the discharge of religious du- 
ty toward God. Many were dishonoring God in their 
lives, and some had made statements displeasing 
to Him. Mai. 3:14. The people had robbed God. 
Mai. 3:8. A curse was upon them. Mai. 3:9. The 
prophet under the direction of God urged the people 
to duty (Mai. 3:10) and promised great blessings 
upon the condition of obedience. Mai. 3:10-12. 

In those times of distress the pious Jew was great- 
ly moved and deeply stirred in his devotion to God 
and to His cause. The waning cause of Zion was the 
topic of conversation as friend would visit friend in 
one another's home. A few moments were spent 
upon this topic as pious Jews would meet pious Jews 
in passing on the streets. There was often a delay 
for a moment in transacting business to discuss this 
portant subject. "The Lord hearkened and He 
heard it." There was a book of remembrance writ- 



Christ ia n Con re r sat ion 



125 



ten before the Lord for them. God said they would 
be His when He would come to make up His jewels. 

From these facts we draw some practical lessons: 
I. CHRISTIANS SHOULD CONVERSE OFTEN 
ONE WITH ANOTHER. 

This is one of God's methods of dissemination of 
information and enlargement of devotion and fervor 
in His service. 

1. Converse About the Cause of Christ — Advocate It, 

There is no other cause so important to us as is 
the cause of Christ. It involves our eternal destiny. 
Our disposition of it means weal or woe to us. We 
should advocate Christ's cause before all men. The 
sick, the dying, the young, the old, the joyous and the 
sorrowful can have all their needs met in Him. 

2. Converse About Our Experiences. 

The old fashioned experience meeting w T as a good 
thing. It is well for us to know of the experiences 
of others in their joys, their trials and their sorrows 
in this life. It does us good to know how the Lord 
helps others. It is good for us to know how the 
Word of God becomes a comfort to others in all their 
walks in life. The two disciples on their way to 
Emmaus on the day of Christ's resurrection re- 
lated how their hearts burned within them as their 
unknown companion who was their Lord conversed 
with them. Luke 24:32. 

3. Converse About Heaven — Hearkened and Heard. 

We are taught by some people that we should say 
but little about heaven, for we know, they say, but 
little about it. Also that we should say little about 
our loved ones gone before. This is a great mis- 
take. The Bible tells us much about heaven, its 
streets, its walls, its gates, and its inhabitants. 
Heaven to the child of God is as real as is this 
world. Our loved ones gone before are as real to 



126 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



us as are those about us, and among whom we live. 
The Apostle Paul wrote a wonderful letter to the 
Thessalonians in- which he spoke with assurance of 
our loved ones. I Thes. 4:13-19. It is said that 
when God's servants . were speaking one with an- 
other, that the Lord hearkened and heard it. The 
word hearkened is rather a strong word. The idea 
is this: the Lord bends towards His children, listens 
to them, hears them as they converse about His 
cause. Unworthy they may be, but He hears their 
prayers when they pray. He knows all about their 
weaknesses and troubles, He hears and helps them. 

II. A RECORD IS MADE FOR THEM IN HEAVEN. 

God never forgets any good thing His children do. 
This record includes the whole of their Christian 
work. There is a recording angel. The books are 
being written. Dan. 12:1; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 20:12- 
15. 

1. A Record of Every Good Thought. 

If one is so poor, so helpless, that he can only 
think good thoughts, he will not lose his reward. 

2. A Record of Every Good Word. 

No good word passes by unrewarded. Often it 
heals broken hearts. It calms fears and relieves 
anxieties and makes joyous and bouyant hopes for 
better living and the sweeter life beyond this world. 

3. A Record of Every Good Deed. 

However small or great the deed may be, if it is 
done in the name of Christ and for the honor of 
God it will be rewarded. 

No one need fear that he will lose his reward be- 
cause of the littleness of his deeds if he has done 
the best he could do. Matt. 25:31-46. 



Ck Hstia n Conve rsa Ho a 



127 



III. THE LORD WILL COME TO POSSESS HIS 
OWN. 

The Lord s coming for His own will be a mo- 
mentous event. Nothing can be compared to it. It 
will be the event of all events since the tragedy of 
the cross and the resurrection of Christ. 

1. He Will Come In Person — A Personal Coming. 
This indicates the importance of the event. This 

will be a glorious coming. We should study it with 
the greatest care. I Thess 4:16; Acts 1:11; John 
14:1-3; Luke 21:27. 

2. The Saints Gone Before Us Including Our Loved 
Ones Will Come With Him. 

What a beautiful, happy, thronging crowd that will 
be! The expression of immonrtal youth will be 
upon every face. The angels from heaven will also 
come with the Lord. I Thes. 4:14; Matt. 16:27; 
Mark 8:38; II Thes. 1:7; Matt. 25:31. 

3. He Will Come and Gather His Jewels Unto Him- 
self. 

With His angels He will send out His diesmbodied 
saints up to the four quarters of the earth, and 
theirs shall be the first resurrection. All His saints 
are His jewels. Not one of them, however unworthy 
he may have been in this life, shall be passed by, but 
all shall be gathered unto Himself. 

The bodies of the living saints on earth shall be 
changed in the twinkling of an eye, and all shall be 
caught up to meet the Lord in the air. I Thes. 4: 
17; I Cor. 15:51-52. Happy thought we shall be 
among His jewels. We feel so unworthy of this 
honor. 

Let me illustrate. I am visiting a wealthy man. 
Years of toil, economy and business ingenuity have 
gotten him great wealth. He has built a magnifl- 



128 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



cent palace. He has furnished it in costly manner. 
There is nothing lacking in the way of beauty, ele- 
gance and artistic taste in all its furnishings. He 
has shown me through every room, and now I am in 
the parlor. I am admiring his musical instruments, 
the exquisite beauty of the decorations of its walls. 
He is telling me of the pleasure he is looking for- 
ward to from this home in his declining years. I 
hear a small sweet voice that says, "Papa." I look 
toward the door. There is a little boy of only two 
summers. He has been out playing in the dust. 
His garments are torn and perspiration running 
down his dusty cheeks has left its marks. The 
father turns and looks at him and says, "I admire 
this beautiful building, but there is my jewel." He 
goes to his little boy, picks him up into his arms, 
presses him to his bosom as he says, "This is my 
jewel." When I think that we are the jewels of our 
God, and of our unworthiness, and that oftentimes 
Jesus our Lord draws us close to His bosom, how 
rejoiced I am! We shall be His jewels forever! 



ftettlefc ©ut of (Eourt 



"There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them 
that are in Christ Jesus." Rom. 8:1. 



^pHE STATE OF THE CHRISTIAN is entirely 

I different from that of the sinner. The Chris- 
tion is under grace; the sinner is under the law. 
The sinner is dead spiritually; the Christian is alive 
spiritually. Sin exists and it is a mighty power 
bringing forth death. .The law is holy, just and 
good. 

The law reveals the fact of sin in that its re- 
quirements can not be met by the sinner who is 
under the bondage and dominion of sin. 
I. TO THE SINNER THERE IS CONDEMNATION. 

The sinner finds himself averse to the law of 
God, and that it is impossible for him to keep the 
law in his present condition. 

There must be a wonderful change wrought in 
him before he can meet the requirements of the law. 
When he sees himself as he is, he becomes alarmed 
over his condition. 
1. He is a Violator of Law. 

Of this fact he is conscious. 

His conscience accuses him. 

The Holy Spirit convicts him of sin and unright- 
eousness. At once he sees that his condition is des- 
perate. When he looks into the Word of God he 
finds that no one can plead "not guilty" before God. 
He learns that "all are under sin" (Rom. 3:9); that 
all have turned aside, and that none doeth good, 
(Rom. 3:12-20) for all have sinned. Rom. 3:23. He 
also learns the awful fact that he can not relieve 
himself of this condition. Jer. 13:23. He learns his 
responsibility to God. He knows that God hates 




130 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



sin. He knows he is guilty before God. He learns 
that there is a judgment day awaiting him. 

2. His Nature Is Depraved. 

As the sinner looks deeply into the Word of God 
he learns many important facts in relation to him- 
self. He learns the condition of his heart. (Jer. 
17:9) which is deceitful above all things and cor- 
rupt. He understands that he was born in sin, 
(Psa. 51:5), that he is blinded by the god of this 
world (II Cor. 4:4) and that he is in the snare of 
the Devil, and is being taken captive by him. II 
Tim. 2:26. 

He knows that in this condition he is a lost sin- 
ner. Luke 19:10. 

In connection with this fact he is told that there 
is life for him as Jesus came to seek and save that 
which was lost. Luke 19:10. 

3. A Day of Judgment Awaits the Sinner. 

The Bible clearly teaches that there is a day of 
judgment. "It is appointed unto men once to die, 
and after this cometh judgment." Heb. 9:27; 10: 
27; Jude 6. The judgment at which the sinner will 
be judged is the judgment of the Great White 
Throne. Rev. 20:11-15. There will be a wail of in- 
describable sorrow at that time. Rev. 6:16; Matt. 
13:42. It will be a day of great sadness and grief 
to the unfortunate sinner. Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20: 
10, 15. 

It will be a day of the most profound concern to 
the lost. 

Many dread the Judgment, and with much anxiety 
worry themselves over the severe and awful trial 
which they look for on that day. All things shall 
be revealed at the judgment. Matt. 10:26; I Cor. 
3:13. Every idle word shall be accounted for on 



Settled Out of Court 



131 



the day of Judgment. Matt. 12:36; Matt. 10:15; Rev. 
20:12; Rom. 2:16. 

It is said that the sins of some men go before 
unto Judgment. I Tim. 5:24. 

The question arises, why not have adjustment 
of all these difficulties before the day of trial, the 
Judgement day? 

Why not settle the matter out of court Often 
matters that are in the courts in this world are 
adjusted before the day of trial. When the day on 
which trial had been expected comes, there is 
nothing to be done, for the settlement has already 
been had and all differences and difficulties have 
been adjusted. If in this world it can be so why 
not in the court of God, and why not have an ad- 
justment before the day of trial. 

Is it possible? Can it be done? Yes, it can be 
done. 

Let me illustrate. A man has an important case 
in the courts. Perhaps there may be something 
related to his character connected with the suit. 
In that event his past life is liable to be brought 
out in the trial. A friend comes and advises him 
to settle the matter out of court, in view of the 
seriousness of the situation. 

The litigant considers the matter. He remembers 
there are things in his past life he does not want 
brought out before the court. He decides it is 
best for him to settle the case out of the court, 
and arranges the matter and the case is settled 
out of court. Dread and embarrassments are gone. 
When the court is called his case has been taken 
off the docket and he has no trouble in the court. 

Now it is a serious fact that the sinner's name 
is already in the court of God, and every individual 
sinner is awaiting trial at the Judgment of the 



132 



Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



Great White Throne. Rev. 20:11-15. Virtually judg- 
ment is already recorded against him, and he is 
in fact awaiting announcement of sentence by the 
judge and the execution of penalty. John 3:18; 
Heb. 10:27; Matt. 25:41. 

There is no one who can set this sentence aside 
and remit the penalty but the Judge himself, who 
is the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 17:31. 
II. PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR SETTLE- 
MENT OUT OP COURT. 

The Judge of the court long ago became wonder- 
fully interested in the case against the sinner. He 
took upon himself the difficult task of relieving the 
sinner from the fearful calamity before him. 

The trouble was not with the court, for the court 
is just. 

The trouble was with the sinner himself, and 
there it yet remains. The court is ready now for 
adjustment, and efforts are being made to influence 
the sinner to apply for settlement out of court. 

This is for the sinner the only safe way, for if he 
goes into court sentence is sure to be announced 
and penalty is certain of execution. It will then 
be too late for adjustment. Matt. 7:22-23. 

The following provisions have been made and ef- 
forts are being put forth to save the sinner: 
1. Jesus, the Christ, Came To Seek and To Save 

the Lost. 

This action on the part of Jesus was a great con- 
descension, a wonderful sacrifice. He took upon 
Himself the form of man, was born of a woman, born 
under the law (Gal. 4:4-5), that He might effectually 
reach the sinner. He became a man of sorrows, and 
became acquainted with grief, was wounded for 
our transgressions," that by "His stripes" we might 
be "healed." Isa. 53:3-5. 



Settled Out of Court 



133 



He came near to us that He might relieve our 
difficulties. Heb. 2:17. He made an offering of 
Himself to save the sinner. Eph. 5:2; Heb. 10:10, 
14. 

He shed His own precious blood for the salvation 
of men. Acts 20:28. 

The things against them He nailed to the cross. 
Col. 2:14. He redeemed us from the curse of the 
law. Gal. 3:13. 

We could not keep the law (Rom. 8:7) but Christ 
fulfilled it (Matt. 5:17), magnified it (Isa. 42:21), 
and made it honorable, and is thereby able to save 
all who will come unto God through Him. Heb. 
7:25. He died for us. Rom. 5:6; 5:8; I Cor. 15:3; 
I Peter 3:18. 

Through His ilfe, His death, His resurrection, His 
intercessions for us He makes possible the salvation 
of all who will accept Him as their Savior. In this 
provision there are ample grounds for settlement 
out of court. 

2. Further Arrangements Being Carried Out. 

God has made a record of His will in reference to 
the sinner (Ezek. 18:23, 32) and He has pointed out 
every necessary step in his salvation. 

The Bible, God's word, is the "way-bill" to heav- 
en. All necessary information is contained in this 
sacred volume. Furthermore, God has called, and 
sent men to preach His word and to exhort men 
to be reconciled to God. 

The religious press, Christian song, and the va- 
rious activities of the church are intended to lead 
sinners to the cross of Christ. 

3. The Work of the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost 
as the representative of God the Father and the 
Son. A large part of His work is to influence the 



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unsaved to take Jesus, the Christ, as their per- 
sonal Savior. He urges the settlement of each in- 
dividual case out of court. Jesus prayed for the 
coming of the Holy Spirit. John 14:16. 

He did come on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2: 
1-4. Jesus, the Christ, said that the Holy Spirit 
would "convict the world in respect of sin, and of 
righteousness, and of judgment." John 16:8-11. 

He sanctifies the truth when it is delivered. 

He takes the truth in respect to Christ and de- 
clares it unto us. John .16: 14-15. 

His effort is to reach the sinner that he may be 
saved. God leaves nothing undone that can be done 
to save mankind. 

III. NECESSARY STEPS TO REMOVE CONDEM- 
NATION AND RESULT OP ITS REMOVAL. 

Condemnation comes upon the sinner because of 
sin and unbelief. John 3:18. He must get rid of 
his sins before he is saved. 
1. Confession of Sins — Repentance. 

Confession of sin to God is important, is neces- 
sary to its forgiveness. It even helps us to confess 
our faults one to another. 

To confess our sins to one another, or to any 
man on earth is not sufficient. Sins must be con- 
fessed to God. In the secret chambers of the hu- 
man heart there lurks evil that God only can un- 
derstand. We must lay our hearts bare before Him 
who knows all things, and who is deeply touched 
with the feelings of our infirmities. 

The Psalmist David confessed his sins to God. 
He said "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, 
and done this evil in thy sight." Psa. 51:4. The 
whole of the fifty-first Psalm will repay careful 
study. 

All other Biblical characters confessed their sins 



Settled Out of Court 



135 



to God. So have all men and women who are saved. 
If we confess our sins He will forgive us. I John 
1:9; Prov. 28:13. 

To be sure, with deep and sincere confession of 
sin there is sorrow, a godly sorrow that worketh 
repentance unto salvation. II Cor. 7:10. Repent- 
ance is a sorrow for, and a turning away from sin. 

2. Accepting Jesus, the Christ, As Personal Savior — 
Faith. 

There is no one in this world who can save him- 
self, nor who can save any one else. Psa. 49:7-8; 
Acts 20:28; I Peter 1:19. 

When we accept Jesus, the Christ, as our personal 
Savior, He saves us from our sins. Rom. 10:9-11. 
He becomes all and in all to us, our life, our joy, 
our salvation. He takes up His abode in our hearts 
in which He abides as our Savior, our friend, our 
Lord. 

He lives in us, and is in our lives. He is the Me- 
diator between us and God the Father. He is our 
Advocate. He stands for us before God the Father. 
He is our refuge and our defense. The Father 
looks upon us as He looks upon His Son. What His 
Son desires concerning us is agreeable to His 
Father. The Father leaves us entirely in the hands 
of His Son, who loves us, is our Savior, our Re- 
deemer. 

3. Settlement Out of Court. 

By virtue of the law the Judge rules the court. 
His authority is supreme. To be sure, he does not 
disregard law. Jesus, the Christ, the Son, is the 
Judge of the Court of God. He is the Judge upon 
the Great White Throne. 

His authority is supreme in the court that an- 
nounces sentence and executes penalty. 

Already He has fulfilled the law, magnified it, and 



136 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



made it honorable. The penitent believing sinner 
before the day of trial has accepted Him and His 
work by faith, so the matter is settled out of court, 
"For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness 
to every one that believeth. Rom. 10:4. The law 
is satisfied and has no further demands upon him. 
He is free from the law. John 8:36. His sins are 
gone. The blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed him. 
I John 1:7. He is righteous by virtue of his con- 
nection with Christ (Rom. 3:21-22) and freely jus- 
tified, by His grace. Rom. 3:24. He is safe under 
the blood of the Lamb of God. Ex. 12 : 13. The 
Judgment has no terrors for him. He is in harmony 
with the Judge. His case is off the docket. He is 
safe forever. Psa. 34:22. 

How is it with you, friend? Is your case settled? 
Have you settled it out of court? Are you safe 
forever? 



Resits, % (Sltfist, dttatirs All We (Summit 
to Him 

"For I know Him whom I have believed, and I 
am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I 
have committed unto Him against that day." II 
Tim. 1:12. 

ESUS, THE CHRIST, safeguards all committed 
to Him by those who love Him. He is a never- 
failing friend, the source of our strength, the power 
in our lives, our Savior. 

At the time the Apostle Paul wrote this epistle to 
Timothy he was the second time in prison in Rome. 

He urged Timothy not to be ashamed of the tes- 
timony of the Lord, nor of Paul, the prisoner. He 
states that because he had been appointed a preach- 
er, and an apostle, and a teacher, he was called upon 
to suffer, but that he was not ashamed of it. He 
gives the reason in the language of my text why he 
was not ashamed of his imprisonment and suffering 
for the cause of Christ Jesus his Lord. 

Some years before he wrote this epistle he had 
given up position, fortune and all worldly honors 
for the sake of his Lord and Master. He had com- 
mitted to Him his spirit, body and every interest 
dear to him in this life, and in the life to come. 

He knew Jesus, the Christ, his Lord, his Sav*ior 
and he gladly committed alt to Him forever. 

As followers of Jesus Christ our Lord we learn 
many important truths from this comforting state- 
ment of the Apostle Paul. 

I. WE KNOW CHRIST JESUS WHOM WE HAVE 
BELIEVED. 

Christ Jesus our Lord is not a stranger to us. 




138 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



We know Him, and we know Him as our Lord, our 
Master, our personal Savior. 

1. We Know Him Historically. 

To be sure, we have read of Jesus the Christ in 
the Bible, the inspired Word of God. We have also 
read of Him in uninspired writings, historical and 
devotional. His place and position in history is as 
firmly established as that of any one who has ever 
lived in this world. 

2. We Know Him By Faith. 

To believe in Christ Jesus is to accept Him, to 
receive Him. 

Faith in Him is the acceptance of Him. Rom. 
10:9. Those who believe in Him, Christians, the 
children of God, have accepted Him as their per- 
sonal Savior. They have a conscious knowledge of 
Him. This is a result of the revelation that God 
the Father makes of His Son to the human heart. 
Matt. 16:17. 

They know Him and have eternal life. John 17: 
3; I John 5:20; 5:13. 

3. By Daily Communion With Him. 

Our knowledge of Jesus, the Christ, is augmented 
daily by communion with Him. He is the guest of 
the human heart. He comes and abides with those 
who accept Him and whose sins have been washed 
away by His blood. John 14:20-23; 15:14; I John 
4:16. 

4. By the Sweet Experiences of His Helpfulness, 
His Love, His Grace. 

As Christians we have many sweet experiences of 
His helpfulness. 

He reveals Himself to our inner consciousness 
every day. 

By His Spirit He comforts our hearts. His Spirit 



Jesus, the Christ, Guards All We Commit to Him 139 



gives us power to overcome evil, to suffer, and to 
live as He would have us do. 

Without Him we can do nothing. John 15:5. 
When He strengthens us we can do all things He 
desires us to do. Phil. 4:13. We dwell in His 
love. We are saved by His grace. He is our com- 
fort, our joy, our light, our salvation. 

He is all and in all to us, the lilly of the valley, 
the Rose of Sharon. 

As the years go by He becomes more precious 
to us as we learn by sweet experience His willing- 
ness and power to help us at every footstep in life. 
We. rely upon Him. We have faith in Him. We 
abide in Him. 

He is to us the goal of our ambition, our ideal. 
We become willing to trust Him with all we have, 
with all we are or ever expect to be. 
II. WE ARE PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE TO 
GUARD ALL WE HAVE COMMITTED 
UNTO HIM. 

We have good reasons for this persuasion. We 
are confident of His ability to care for us under all 
possible circumstances. In times past He never for- 
sook us. His promises and pledges to us are abun- 
dant vouching His care and protection. Psa. 37:25; 
Duet. 4:31; Isa. 41:17; Psa. 27:10; Zech. 2:8; II 
Thess. 1:6; Isa. 49:16; Psa. 55:22; Col. 3:3-4; I 
Peter 1:5. What have we committed unto Him? 
1. We Have Committed Our Spirits Unto Him. 

Our spirits are immortal. We have committed the 
highest and greatest part of our being to Him. 
This we have done in the bonds of an everlasting 
covenant. He has accepted us, which is the most 
sacred trust known to men. He will never betray 
this sacred trust. We are His forever. He dwells 
in us the hope of glory. Col. 1:27; I Peter 1:3-5. 



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2. We Also Commit Our Bodies to Him. 

We know that if our Lord tarries that soon the 
silver cord of this life shall break, and that we shall 
leave these bodies of ours to molder to dust. Jesus 
Christ, our Lord, will guard this sleeping dust until 
the morning of the resurrection. 

Our bodies having been committed to Him, He 
will bring them in triumph out of the grave. He 
will fashion them after His own glorious body. "For 
this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this 
mortal must put on immortality." Should it be that 
Jesus Christ our Lord come before we pass away, 
then these bodies shall be changed in the twinkling 
of an eye, and be as the resurrection body, and 
then we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in 
the air, and forever be with the Lord. I Thess. 4: 
16-17; I Cor. 15:42-49; I Cor. 15:51-54. 

3. We Have Committed To Him To All Eternity 
Every Interest Sacred To Us. 

We have kept back nothing from our Lord. We 
have committed all to Him. We know the Judge of 
all the earth will do right. We look for heaven, the 
city whose builder and maker is God. We know 
our blessed Lord will take us there. He has pre- 
pared a home for us. He will give joys and glory 
indescribable. 

There will never be a period in boundless eternity 
when there will not be for us unfading glory and 
endless joy. 

III. HE IS ABLE TO GUARD ALL FOR US 
AGAINST THAT DAY. 

Of His ability to guard all our interest against 
that day we have no doubt. This fact is taught in 
the word of God. There are no reasonable grounds 
for controversy upon this point. 

The question now for consideration is the day to 



Jesus, the Christ, Guards All We Commit to Him 141 



which reference is made in the text. Different opin- 
ions have been expressed. 

1. Some Think It Is the Day of Trial — Sorrow. 

Every one of God's children is tested and tried 
in this world. 

Hard and perplexing are the temptations to be 
overcome. 

Every heart has its own sorrow. 

Sometimes our poor hearts are bleeding, sore and 
torn. 

Should the reference be to this day, God's grace 
is sufficient. 

"Earth hath no sorrow, that heaven cannot heal." 
Psa. 103:13-14; Psa. 27:5; II Cor. 1:4; Psa. 50:15. 

2. Some Think It the Day of Death. 

If the reference should be to the day of death, 
certainly, Jesus Christ our Lord is able to carry 
us in victory over this momentous ordeal. Already 
He has conquered death. When the dying moment 
comes He will give grace and all shall be well with 
the dying saint. 

Read the story of the triumphant death of the 
poor man, Lazarus, at the rich man's gate. Luke 
16:19-23. 

Study carefully the death scene of Stephen when 
he saw the heavens opened to him as he was pass- 
ing away from earthly scenes to the glory world. 
Acts 7:54-60. 

Ponder Paul's statement in II Tim. 4:6-8. 

3. Some Think It the Day of Judgment. 

To be sure, there are different opinions among 
Christian people in reference to the judgment. 

Some believe there will be a general judgment 
day on which day both the righteous and unrighteous 
shall be judged. Some believe there are at least 
four judgments definitely described in the word of 



142 Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



God. One of these judgments is past. The other 
three are in the future. These judgments are as fol- 
lows: 

(1) The judgment of sin. — This judgment is past. 
It occurred when the Lord died on the cross. The 
place was Calvary. The sins of the believer were 
judged. The Bible says of him that he "shall not 
come into judgment." John 5:24; John 3:18; Heb. 
9:26; Rom. 8:1-3; Heb. 10:14-17; Rom. 8:23-24; Gal. 
2:20; Rom. 6:6; II Cor. 5:21. 

Many think the believers' judgment on account of 
sin is past. 

(2) The Judgment of the Redeemed. — This judg- 
ment is at the judgment seat of Christ, and it is in 
the future. It is that every one "shall receive his 
own reward according to his own works." This 
judgment takes place after the saints have been 
"caught up to meet the Lord in the air." It is not 
to decide whether one is saved or not, but it is a 
question of rewards. Rom. 14:10-12; I Cor. 3:8-15; 
II Cor. 5:10; Rev. 22:12. 

(3) The Judgment of the Living Nations. — These 
nations at the time of this judgment are to be di- 
vided like sheep and goats, according to the treat- 
ment they have accorded to the faithful Jewish 
"remnant" whom the Lord calls "my brethren." 
It will take place in the Valley of Jehoshaphat at 
the base of the Mount of Olives. 

The time of this judgment is future and it will 
take place at the commencement of the millennium 
or Christ's reign of one thousand years. Joel 3:3- 
16; Zech. 14:1-9; Matt. 25:31-46. 

(4) The Judgment of the Unconverted Dead of 
All Ages. — This judgment will take place at the 
close of the millennium and before the Great White 
Throne after heaven and earth have fled away from 



Jems, the Christ, Guards All We Commit to Him 143 



the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne. Rev. 
20:11-15. 

Whatever the judgment day may be the Chris- 
tian need not fear it. 

"If God is for us who can be against us?" Rom. 
8:31. 

4. Some Think It Is the Day of Christ's Second 
Coming. 

Certainly, the reference in the text to that day 
means the day of the second coming of our Lord. 
That is the day in which the spirits of just men 
made perfect including the departed saints of all 
ages shall come with the Lord and shall gather 
their bodies from the land and from the sea, and 
when the bodies of the living saints on earth shall 
be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and all to- 
gether shall be "caught up, to meet the Lord in the 
air." This will be a wonderful day. We shall see 
Jesus face to face in His glory. We shall see His 
lovely smiles. It will be a soul cheering triumphant 
day. 

Let us be watching and waiting for the coming of 
our Lord from heaven. He will come suddenly and 
the departed saints and the holy angels will be 
with Him. 

The trumpet shall sound and the dead in Christ 
shall be raised. 

The saints shall possess their resurrection bodies. 

What a mighty gathering and glorious meeting of 
loved ones! 

Shall we be in that happy throng? I Thess. 1:10; 
I Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:35-54. 



"Not forsaking our own assembling together, as 
the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; 
and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing 
nigh." Heb. 10:25. 

T IS GOD'S WILL that His people assemble for 
worship. Christianity is for the individual, but 
it is not alone for the individual; it is also for 
society. 

Jesus, the Messiah, said, "For where two or three 
are gathered together in my name, there am I /in 
the midst of them." Matt. 18:20. His blessings 
are upon those gathered together in His name. 

From this passage of Scripture used as my text 
we learn some very practical and important lessons. 

I. CHRISTIANS SHOULD ASSEMBLE FOR WOR- 
SHIP. 

Man is a worshipping being. All peoples have 
their religion. If a man does not worship God he 
will worship some human being, or something else. 
There are no worshipless human hearts. The hea- 
then has his temples, his gods and he worships. 
The man who claims he has no God is nevertheless 
bound by cruel chains of devotion to gold, lust, 
worldly ambition or hero worship. 

Doubtless it was a prehistoric custom for those in 
the same line of worship to assemble themselves to- 
gether. There is the heathen temple, the club 
house, the exchange building, the pleasure resort, 
the church, each selecting his own line of worship 
goes to the place appointed for the same. Chris* 
tians should assemble in God's house. 



The Approaching Day 



145 



1. To Offer Thanks and Praise to God. 

God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. 
James 1:17. His love and grace is abundant to- 
ward us. His kindness toward us is greater than 
that of the most generous earthly parent toward his 
child. God richly deserves our gratitude, our thanks, 
our praise. We learn important lessons from the 
following Scriptures: Psa. 103:13, 14; 108:1-4; 103: 
1-8; 116:17; I Thes. 5:17. 

In proportion to our appreciation of what God 
has done for us so will our zeal be to worship Him 
in His house, the place dedicated to His worship. 
Psa. 122:1. ' 

2. For Prayer and Christian Song. 

We are not only to offer praise in the house of 
God, but we are also to offer earnest prayer in the 
name of Jesus, the Messiah, the son of God. We 
have assurance that what we ask in faith in His 
name will be granted according to God's will unto 
us. John 14:13-14. The statement that God will 
answer prayer is Biblical. Numerous instances are 
on record in the Bible of answered prayer. It is 
not only interesting, but it is highly instructive to 
read of the prayers, and the answers to the prayers 
of Elijah (I Kings 18:44, 45) Hezekiah (II Kings 
20:1-7) and Stephen (Acts 7:55-60). 

The value of Christian song can not be estimated. 
To sing spiritual songs is an old-time custom hon- 
ored of God. Thousands and thousands have been 
led by Christian songs into the kingdom of God. 
Christian song is the expression of thanks, praise 
and confidence in God. 

It is the joyful expression of a glad and happy 
heart. Psa. 144:9; Job 35:10; Isa. 35:10; Eph. 5: 
18-19; Col. 3:16; Rev. 14:3; 15:3. 



146 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



3. For the Preaching and Teaching of God's Word. 

Ever since the beginning of the writing of the 
Old Testament Scripture it has been the custom of 
those who love God to assemble themselves for 
reading, expounding and hearing the word of God. 
The duty of all Christians to attend worship in the 
house of God is not to be questioned. The benefit 
derived from such attendance can not be estimated. 
Regular set times for worship were had by the 
Apostles and early disciples and all were faithful 
in their attendance at the appointed place. 

Preaching the gospel of Christ was a great part 
of the work of the Apostles. Acts 10:42. 

It was their duty to be faithful in this work. Acts 
5:42; 20:20. The results of preaching the gospel 
were great. Acts 2:1-47. 

It always has been attended with great results. 
Through it millions of people have been saved. It 
must not be neglected. 

Neither should any one who loves God neglect to 
attend regularly if possible upon the preaching of 
the word. The individual loss in this neglect is too 
great, and the example set before others is too 
serious to carelessly consider. 

II. CHRISTIANS SHOULD EXHORT ONE AN- 
OTHER. 

The duties of Christians one toward another are 
mutual. "For none of us liveth to himself, and 
none dieth to himself." Rom. 14:7. We should ex- 
hort one another in all good things. 
1. To earnest, Active Service for God. 

Lifeless, heartless service for God does not avail. 

His service is worthy of our greatest thought and 
deepest solicitude. It is worthy of every energy of 
body and mind. 

Whole-heartedness is required in acceptable ser- 



The Approaching Day 



147 



vice for God. It is our duty to give God this kind 
of service, and to urge others to the same perform- 
ance. Heb. 10:24. 

2. To Purity of Heart and Life. 

Example is a great teacher. If our example be- 
fore others is not what it should be our teaching 
will be fruitless. "Actions speak louder than 
words." It is our duty to live a pure and godly 
life and exhort others to live such lives. Much 
good is done this way. God in this way is honored. 

3. To Constant Expectancy of the Coming of the 
Lord. 

That Jesus, the Messiah, is coming again is a 
fact beyond controversy. That He did come into 
this world and suffered and died to redeem us back 
to God can not be successfully denied. Before His 
sacrificial death He. told His Apostles that He was 
going away, but that He would come again. Both 
the Old and New Testament Scriptures place the 
fact of His coming again beyond reasonable doubt. 
That His second coming will be pre-millennial is 
clearly and unmistakably taught in the word of God. 
That no one knows the time of His coming is also 
clearly taught in the Bible. The attitude of the 
Church in respect to His second coming is to be 
that of constant expectancy,/ and watchfulness, 
anxious waiting. 

We are to exhort one another to this attitude of 
watching and waiting. 

III. ZEAL IN EXHORTATION SHOULD GROW 
AS THE DAY DRAWS NIGH. 

The day drawing nigh referred to in my text has 
reference to the second coming of Christ. 

The doctrine taught is that as we see the day 
drawing nigh we should become more zealous in 
exhortation. 



148 Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



The way we see the day drawing nigh is. the 
careful consideration of historical movements that 
have taken place since the utterance of this text 
of Scripture, and movements now taking place in 
fulfillment of prophecy. The fact of His second 
coming, and tne signs- of His coming are taught in 
the word of God, but the time of His coming is not 
revealed. 

There is a misrepresentation on the part of 
some as to the doctrine taught by pre-millennialists 
in reference to the end of the world. 

Evangelical pre-millennialists do not teach that 
the second coming of Christ is the end of the world. 
They teach that there are two phases indicated in 
the second coming of our Lord. 

The first phase is His coming for His saints 
when all of them shall answer to His call those 
having died prior to His coming shall come in their 
resurrection bodies, and those living at the time 
of His coming shall be changed in the twinkling of 
an eye, their bodies changed to the resurrection 
body and all will be caught up together to meet 
the Lord in the air. I Thes. 4:16; I Cor. 15:51-52. 

The second phase of His coming, when He comes 
with His saints, will be enacted seven years after 
the enactment of the first. This we learn from a 
careful study of the seventy prophetical weeks of 
Daniel. Dan. 9:24-27. 

Following this second phase of His coming will 
begin the millennium, the thousand years reign of 
Christ on earth. 

The second coming of our Lord will mark the 
ending of the present dispensation, and the be- 
ginning of a new dispensation. 

To be sure, there will be many changes in the 
arrangements now in this world. The Christian 



The Approaching Day 



149 



people will be taken away, but the affairs of this 
world will soon adjust themselves, and business, 
politics and professional life will go on. Other dis- 
pensations have come and gone and the world has 
gone on. Eccl. 1:4. Evidently the world will not 
come to what we call the end for more than a thou- 
sand years yet to come. The millennium will precede 
the end of the world. 

While no one knows the time at which the Lord 
will come again, yet the prophecies in both the old 
and New Testaments, in reference to this matter, 
indicate clearly that the time for His second com- 
ing is drawing nigh. It can not now be far distant. 
Many faithful, patient, earnest Bible students say 
that so far as they are able to understand the 
Bible, and the situation in our times that there are 
no unfulfilled prophecies in the way of the speedy 
coming of our Lord. 

Evidently we are living in an opportune time to 
obey the injunction in my text to exhort one an- 
other with deep earnestness as we see the day 
drawing nigh. 

1. The Condition of Society Calls for Zeal in Ex- 
hortation. 

That the world is growing better, and will con- 
tinue to grow better in morals, justice, righteous- 
ness and truth until the return of the Lord is a 
fond dream of many theorists, but the Bible does 
not teach it. World civilization has brought many 
conveniences, comforts and pleasures to us, but it 
has not brought righteousness to this world. When 
He was upon this earth the Lord spoke sadly of 
the days just preceding His return. Luke 17:26-30. 

The real condition of society today indicates the 
importance of earnest exhortation. The need is re- 



150 Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



generation rather than more civilization of a worldly 
kind. 

2. The Condition of Christendom Calls for Zeal in 
Exhortation. 

Christendom is a comprehensive term including 
all who in any way profess allegiance to Chris- 
tianity. We must remember that many professors 
are not possessors. There are powerful forces to- 
day working in Christendom the tendency of which 
is toward the destruction of the foundation of the 
Christian faith as taught by Jesus, the Christ, and 
His Apostles. 

In one large branch of Christendom there are the 
Higher Critics, and in another large branch of 
Christendom are the Modernists. They both deny 
virtually, the inspiration and authority of the Bible, 
the virgin birth, and Deity of Jesus Christ, our Lord. 
The various isms, new religions and false doctrines 
now being promulgated tend in the same direction. 
These things indicate the necessity of earnest ex- 
hortation. Jude 3, 4; II Peter 2:1; I John 2:22. 

3. The Delicate Relation of Nations Calls for Zeal 
in Exhortation. 

In the height and grandeur of the civilization of 
the twentieth century when many of our leaders, 
political and ecclesiastical, are crying peace, and 
prophesying universal peace, Europe is suddenly in 
the midst of the greatest war in the history of the 
world. I Thes. 5:3; Joel 3:9-11. 

Notwithstanding the great peace conferences that 
have occurred, and the splendid work that has been 
done, and is being done for peace, the nations of 
the world today are really preparing for a great and 
destructive conflict in war that ultimately sftiall 
occur, and that shall far surpass the present great 



The Approaching Day 



151 



European bloodshed. The worst in furious war and 
bloodshed has not yet been reached. 

Matt. 24:6-9; Luke 21:9-11, 25-27; Haggai. 2:22; 
Daniel 12:1; Jer. 30:7; 4:19-22; Daniel 9:26-27; Ze- 
phaniah 1:14-18; Rev. 19:19-21; 20:7-10. 

The signs of the coming of our Lord as indicated 
in the 21st Chapter of Luke are evident, and it be- 
comes us to exhort one another earnestly to com- 
plete the work given us to do and to be ready for 
the coming of our Lord. 



So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will 
give thee thanks forever: we will show forth thy 
praise to all generations. Psa. 79:13. 

HIS is the day set apart by the highest au- 
thority in our government as the day for Na- 
tional Thanksgiving service. Every citizen from the 
greatest to the least should observe it. 

Of all the nations on earth under obligation to 
render gratitude and thankfulness to Almighty God, 
the United States of America stands out pre-emi- 
nent. Blessings untold from every consideration 
have been poured out upon our people. 

Peace, harmony, prosperity have crowned the ef- 
forts of our leaders in Christian, political and com- 
mercial activities. 

Schools, colleges, moral and charitable institutions 
have grown during this year despite many fascinat- 
ing and alluring temptations among us leading to 
defiling and ruinous sins, greed, oppression, de- 
pravity. 

Among the nations of the world the United States 
has suddenly reached pre-eminence from points of 
view of commerce, peace and civilization. 

Truly, our country is the home of the lovers of 
justice and right, the home of the true and the brave. 
We, the people and sheep of God's bountiful pasture, 
should render praises to His name forever. 

We should look at this question of Thanksgiving 
from various points of view. 

1. FROM A GEOGRAPHICAL POINT OF VIEW. 

Every people, every nation must have a home in 
order that it may be perpetuated. The only excep- 




Th a )\ksgi vin g Se rv ice 



153 



tion to this inflexible rule in the history of the world 
is the indomitable Jew. 

His history is without a parallel. 

It is in fact the marvel of history. 

Scattered among all the nations on earth the 
Jews remain a separate people, chosen of God with 
a magnificent future before them. The Bible makes 
this fact clear to its careful readers. 

A few considerations in reference to the geography 
of our country will indicate a substantial reason for 
thankfulness to God: 

1. It Is a Broad Country. 

The broadness of our country is from east to west 
rather than from north to south. This fact affords 
a wonderful climatic advantage. Neither the Arctic 
cold, nor the torrid heat interferes with our activi- 
ties, nor with the pleasures of our employments. 

2. The Direction of Its Mountain Ranges. 

The mountain ranges of our country run from 
north to south. The advantage of this is that both 
sides of the mountains are sun-kiss^ed, thereby the 
soil is rendered fertile, giving the possibility of 
vegetable and animal life on both sides of the moun- 
tains. 

The ranges of the mountains in China run from 
east to west. The Himalaya Mountains in India 
point from east to west. This is true in the main 
with the Alps. Because of this fact many thousands 
of acres of land are rendered unproductive, and 
practically unfit for animal and vegetable life, as 
the sun can reach only one side of such ranges of 
mountains. 

In the tropics the mountains are too high to scale, 
and the rivers are too wide to bridge. The physical 



154 Sermons— Practical, Devotional 



features of our country present a reason for thank- 
fulness to God. 

3. Climatic Considerations. 

No truly self-governing republic has ever existed 
in a tropical climate. In the tropics man is dwarfed 
by nature. His individuality is dwarfed by his en- 
vironments. 

Physically he is indolent. This begets spiritual 
and intellectual inactivity and results in Pantheism 
and Fatalism. 

In the Frigid Zone the whole of a man's activities 
are consecrated in the bare struggle for existence. 

He has no leisure for self-improvement. 

In the Temperate Zone only does nature yield to 
man's efforts in such a way that he has a due re- 
ward for his toils and leisure for self-improvement. 

His individuality is stimulated and developed. 

The Temperate Zone is the natural environment 
for political, intellectual and religious freedom. In- 
tellectuality grows and spirituality develops in this 
fruitful soil. Ours is the Temperate Zone. The far 
reaching advantages coming out of a temperate cli- 
mate are ours to enjoy. 

Our crops are abundant. Our financial resources 
are practically inexhaustible. Our people are sup- 
plied with all the comforts, luxuries and necessities 
of life. 

Gold, silver and other valuable ores are richly im- 
bedded in our mountains, and this together with our 
fertile plains and rich valleys produce wealth incal- 
culable. 

To be sure we are a favored people. 
An English newspaper referring to the United 
States of America contained the following lines: 



1 %a iiksgivi i 1 y Service 



155 



"Earth hath no clime, no sky but thou commandeth, 
No fruit but thy wide spreading soil can bear. 
No ore but the rich ground on which thou standest, 
Somewhere or other bids thee stoop and share." 

Truly, this is the Lord's country, His pasture and 
we are His people and His sheep. 

Why should we complain? Why should we not be 
devoutly thankful for the magnificent advantages and 
blessings our God has bestowed upon us? 

II. FROM A POLITICAL POINT OP VIEW. 
From the nature of our government we are a high- 
ly favored people. 
1. Our Government Is Excellent. 

Our general government uniting the States of the 
Union is a strong Federal Government, but it is far 
removed from despotism. 

In addition to this we have local self-government. 
The states are free and sufficiently independent to 
conserve the freedom of all. Ours is a representa- 
tive government both in State and Nation. 

We have no law, no taxation without representa- 
tion. This produces harmony and we are one peo- 
ple, a united people. In fact, we know no North, no 
South, no East, no West. 

Our President, elected by the ballots of the peo- 
ple, is the chosen head of our nation, and receives 
our hearty co-operation while in office, irrespective 
of party names or affiliations. 

The smoothness with which our government enacts 
its laws, carries out its policies, harmonizes conflict- 
ing interests among its constituents and reconciles 
differences among its neighboring nations, proves 
unquestionably that God, our Creator, approves in 
large part our existence, our policies and the spirit 
we manifest to the nations of the world. 



156 



Sermon s — Pra ctica I , Be votion a I 



We are rapidly approaching the ideal of human 
government under man's present condition of sin, 
the wreck and ruin of human nature. We shall 
never reach the true ideal, however, until we reach 
the Golden Age, the Millennium, which shall be 
brought about by the coming of the King, the Prince 
of Peace, which is the second coming of the Lord. 

2. Our Peaceful Condition. 

Geographically situated as we are, we can manage 
our own affairs without the interference of other 
nations, and while our coasts are thousands of miles 
in extent, we can defend ourselves readily from the 
intrusion of enemies. 

Fortunately for us we are at peace with all the 
nations of the world, and in this we find a reason 
for gratitude to our God. 

We have necessary laws regulating our individual 
conduct from moral, social and other equitable con- 
siderations, and at the same time we boast of the 
freedom of speech, and of the press which must not 
be taken away from us while we do not infringe 
upon the rights of others. 

There is in this fact combined both freedom and 
protection for which we should thank God. 

III. FROM A RELIGIOUS POINT OF VIEW. 

When Christianity was planted in this country it 
was planted in fruitful soil. 

1. We Are Religiously a Free People. 

Persecuted and down-trodden, debarred from the 
exercise of religious rights and privileges, many of 
the early settlers in our country came from across 
the ocean determined to establish a home on this 
continent in which should forever dwell freedom in 
the exercise of religious rights and privileges so that 



Thanksgiv i ng Se rvice 



157 



every man should be allowed to worship God "under 
his own vine and fig tree," where no man should 
dare to molest him or make him afraid. 

Truly our country is the congenial home of Pro- 
testantism. Its environments are favorable to free- 
dom of religious thought and activity. 

No religion, however, is debarred from our soil 
and all are protected as long as there is no interfer- 
ence with the social, moral, religious and other equit- 
able rights of our citizenship. 

Fortunately for us we have no State or National 
Church. There is here a complete separation of 
Church and State. This is as it should be. 

This fact gives encouragement to independent de- 
velopment and activity of moral, intellectual and re- 
ligious thought. Its proper direction dignifies man- 
hood and glorifies God. 

2. Our Privileges and Responsibilities. 

Our privileges, our opportunities, and resultant 
responsibilities are wonderfully comprehensive. 

Shall we meet them? Shall we carry them out in 
the spirit so elegantly manifested in the Thanksgiv- 
ing Proclamations of both our President and Gov- 
ernor? 

When w T e come properly to consider the matter 
we see that we who live in this country, and under 
our government are indeed fortunate. 

We have a wonderful country. 

Our soil is varied and exceedingly productive. Our 
people are industrious, frugal and prosperous. The 
climate is congenial, everything that could be asked 
of it. 

Great riches, comforts, luxuries, conveniences, and 
everything that the heart of man can wish from a 
worldly point of view is at our command. 



158 



Sermons — Practical, Devotional 



Better than this, a thousand times better than this, 
is the incalculable privilege of worshipping God ac- 
cording to our own consciences. 

It is ours to stand by this privilege. 

The smiling face of our God is upon us. The Gos- 
pel of the Grace of God is everywhere being preach- 
ed. 

Jesus Christ our living Lord is being honored as 
our Savior, the Savior of all who will in their hearts 
accept Him. The general and special providences of 
God are everywhere in evidence. Let us meet our 
responsibilities. 

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 
Let us praise and glorify Him forever. 



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